[Surgical ENT therapy of oropharyngeal amyloidosis]

The term "amyloidosis" refers to a disturbance of metabolism with a pathological deposit of extracellular protein. There are two types of amyloidosis, both of which can have oropharyngeal manifestations. The amyloid deposits cause dysfunction of affected tissues and could result in a life-threatening obstruction of neighbouring organs or the upper aerodigestive tract.

The present paper reports about the symptoms, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of oropharyngeal amyloidosis. The possible life-threatening obstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract by amyloidosis is illustrated in a case report.

Surgical treatment is indicated in cases of amyloid caused obstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract. The transoral approach combined with a laser surgical tissue resection is often not efficient where diffuse amyloid muscular deposits are present in the form of macroglossia with induration of the floor of the mouth. An effective surgical treatment of oropharyngeal amyloidosis consists of suprahyoid pharyngotomy with a partial tongue resection and a supplementary reduction of the induration of the floor of the mouth.