Leeches in the larynx

This is a report of two patients with leech inhalation. The first patient presented with severe attacks of inspiratory stridor, cyanosis and cough of five days duration. He had no fever. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed a black, smooth foreign body between the vocal folds. Lateral soft tissue X-ray of the neck revealed shadow involving the glottic and the subglottic areas of the larynx. Laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia showed a living leech. This was removed and the patient improved. The second patient presented with difficulty of breathing, dysphagia, and spitting of blood of two weeks duration. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed a brown foreign body in the larynx. Laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia showed a living leech. This was removed by forceps.