Laser excision of a large granular cell tumor of the vocal cord with subglottic extension: A case report

Manal Bukhari ¹

⁰Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Open Medicine (warsaw, Poland) +

|

August 18, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This case report details a rare granular cell tumor (GCT) of the vocal cord with subglottic extension in a young woman. Surgical excision was successful, though a granuloma complication required revision surgery.

Area Of Science

Otolaryngology
Head and Neck Surgery
Pathology

Background

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare neoplasms, typically benign and originating from Schwann cells.
While common in the head and neck, laryngeal GCTs, especially vocal cord involvement, are exceptionally rare in adults.

Observation

A 28-year-old female presented with progressive dysphonia due to a 2 cm x 1 cm left vocal cord mass.
Laryngoscopy revealed subglottic extension, confirmed via microlaryngeal examination.
Histopathology identified the tumor as a GCT with S100 protein positivity.

Findings

The GCT was surgically excised using CO2 laser, with complete removal achieved.
A late complication of granuloma formation at the excision site necessitated revision surgery.
The patient remained symptom-free at 12-month follow-up, indicating successful management.

Implications

Vocal cord GCTs with subglottic extension present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Surgery is the primary treatment modality, as GCTs are chemo- and radio-insensitive.
Accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment are crucial for managing these rare laryngeal neoplasms.

Keywords:

Abrikossoff’s tumor dysphonia granular cell tumor laryngeal neoplasm