Histiocytosis: an unusual cause of dysphagia, hoarseness and stridor

We present a patient with established histiocytosis who developed dysphagia, retching, regurgitation, hoarseness and stridor. These symptoms were managed with carbon dioxide laser vaporization, electively on three occasions, and once as an urgent procedure, while awaiting radiotherapy, to control her airway. Histiocytosis is a rare cause of a number of otolaryngological syndromes, but there has been no previous record of this disease causing laryngopharyngeal symptoms. This paper discusses the classification of histiocytosis, and describes our management of this rare and intriguing case.