Epithelial hyperplastic lesions of the larynx in biopsy specimens

Surgical biopsy files for the period 1991-92 were reviewed to determine the relative proportion and types of epithelial hyperplastic lesions of the larynx as well as sex and age distribution and correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses. In this period 203 laryngeal biopsies from 187 patients were analyzed. Epithelial hyperplastic lesions were found in 42 males and 9 females. There were 39 cases with keratosis and 12 cases showing keratosis with atypia. Correlation between clinical diagnoses and pathohistological findings was established in only 5 cases (9.8%), clinically diagnosed as leukoplakia; an additional 5 cases (9.8%) were clinically diagnosed as chronic laryngitis. The majority of clinical diagnoses in cases with epithelial hyperplastic lesions were laryngeal neoplasm (29, 56.9%) followed by laryngeal polyp in 9 cases (17.6%). We conclude that for correct diagnosis the biopsy should be performed in all patients with clinical symptoms showing laryngoscopic alterations that suggest a potentially malignant lesion.