Diagnosis and conservative surgical management of chondrosarcoma of the larynx

The incidence, clinical findings, location, etiology, clinical diagnosis, and surgical treatment of chondrosarcoma of the larynx are discussed. Important features in the diagnosis and treatment of a chondrosarcomatous tumor of the larynx are demonstrated in a case report. The patient's chief complaint was episodic shortness of breath occurring with increasing frequency over a period of 12 months. Her dyspnea progressed in severity until an emergency tracheotomy was required for airway control. CT scan documented the attachment of the tumor to the right posterior lateral wall of the cricoid cartilage. Direct laryngoscopy and biopsy were done to obtain tissue for diagnosis. The histopathological examination revealed low-grade chondrosarcoma. The tumor was removed totally with a wide-margin mucous membrane incision and careful curettement. A definite difference in the consistency of the tumor compared to normal cartilage allowed complete excision of the tumor with minimal sacrifice of healthy cricoid cartilage. This presentation emphasizes the conservative surgical removal of these tumors and notes how a curette can be used for this removal.