Presentation and management of postcricoid hemangiomata in infancy

Phillips and Ruh (1912) were the first to describe a congenital hemangioma of the larynx. Sweetser subsequently classified laryngeal hemangiomata into infantile and adult types and noted differences in incidence, location, and symptoms. According to Sweetser, the infantile form is less common, is almost always subglottic, and presents with stridor which may be intermittent. The adult form is somewhat more common, is generally supraglottic, and often presents with hoarseness or dysphagia. We present what we believe is the first reported case of a postcricoid hemangioma in an infant. A review of hemangiomata of the aerodigestive tract is presented and treatment is discussed.