Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case Report

Introduction. Cholesterol granuloma is a rare benign cystic neoplasm characterised by a fibrous capsule, and a cystic fluid containing cholesterol crystals, multinucleated giant cells, erythrocytes and haemosiderin. Cholesterol granulomas are usually found in diverse parts of the temporal bone, mos...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jūratė Vertelytė, Arnoldas Morozas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Vilnius University Press 2023-05-01
Series:Lietuvos Chirurgija
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.zurnalai.vu.lt/lietuvos-chirurgija/article/view/32148
_version_ 1797835187298500608
author Jūratė Vertelytė
Arnoldas Morozas
author_facet Jūratė Vertelytė
Arnoldas Morozas
author_sort Jūratė Vertelytė
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Cholesterol granuloma is a rare benign cystic neoplasm characterised by a fibrous capsule, and a cystic fluid containing cholesterol crystals, multinucleated giant cells, erythrocytes and haemosiderin. Cholesterol granulomas are usually found in diverse parts of the temporal bone, most commonly – petrous apex. Very few cases of cholesterol granulomas in other organs have been reported, to our knowledge none are reported in the larynx. The main purpose of this case report is to highlight this extremely rare laryngeal lesion and its unique macroscopic appearance. Case report. A 55-year-old man is referred to the Ear, Nose and Throat Centre because of persistent hoarseness, globus sensation and complicated intubation due to a mass in the larynx. Videolaryngoscopy showed a large cyst-like mass in the vallecula, epiglottis was displaced towards the posterior pharyngeal wall and erythema of interarytenoid notch and arytenoid tubercle was present. A computerized tomography scan confirmed a cystic mass on the lingual surface of the epiglottis. On the basis of the examination and clinical symptoms, a diagnosis of chronic laryngitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux and an unspecified benign tumour of the respiratory system was made, surgical treatment was planned. The patient underwent microlaryngoscopy and surgical extirpation of the cyst using a CO2 laser, as the cyst was opened a yellowish, shiny, viscous fluid was observed. Two days later, laryngoscopy revealed fibrin plaque at the site of the cyst. Final diagnosis of cholesterol granuloma was formed based on histological examination of the mass. Conclusions. Cholesterol granulomas and masses in vallecula are extremly rare, but this case shows that cholesterol granuloma can be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic neoplasms of the larynx.
first_indexed 2024-04-09T14:50:16Z
format Article
id doaj.art-b24adad0a37446ea909b3f4e98195f38
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1392-0995
1648-9942
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-09T14:50:16Z
publishDate 2023-05-01
publisher Vilnius University Press
record_format Article
series Lietuvos Chirurgija
spelling doaj.art-b24adad0a37446ea909b3f4e98195f382023-05-02T09:46:49ZengVilnius University PressLietuvos Chirurgija1392-09951648-99422023-05-0122210.15388/LietChirur.2023.22.83Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case ReportJūratė Vertelytė0Arnoldas Morozas1Vilnius University, LithuaniaVilnius University, Lithuania Introduction. Cholesterol granuloma is a rare benign cystic neoplasm characterised by a fibrous capsule, and a cystic fluid containing cholesterol crystals, multinucleated giant cells, erythrocytes and haemosiderin. Cholesterol granulomas are usually found in diverse parts of the temporal bone, most commonly – petrous apex. Very few cases of cholesterol granulomas in other organs have been reported, to our knowledge none are reported in the larynx. The main purpose of this case report is to highlight this extremely rare laryngeal lesion and its unique macroscopic appearance. Case report. A 55-year-old man is referred to the Ear, Nose and Throat Centre because of persistent hoarseness, globus sensation and complicated intubation due to a mass in the larynx. Videolaryngoscopy showed a large cyst-like mass in the vallecula, epiglottis was displaced towards the posterior pharyngeal wall and erythema of interarytenoid notch and arytenoid tubercle was present. A computerized tomography scan confirmed a cystic mass on the lingual surface of the epiglottis. On the basis of the examination and clinical symptoms, a diagnosis of chronic laryngitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux and an unspecified benign tumour of the respiratory system was made, surgical treatment was planned. The patient underwent microlaryngoscopy and surgical extirpation of the cyst using a CO2 laser, as the cyst was opened a yellowish, shiny, viscous fluid was observed. Two days later, laryngoscopy revealed fibrin plaque at the site of the cyst. Final diagnosis of cholesterol granuloma was formed based on histological examination of the mass. Conclusions. Cholesterol granulomas and masses in vallecula are extremly rare, but this case shows that cholesterol granuloma can be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic neoplasms of the larynx. https://www.zurnalai.vu.lt/lietuvos-chirurgija/article/view/32148cholesterol granulomavallecular masslaryngeal granuloma
spellingShingle Jūratė Vertelytė
Arnoldas Morozas
Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case Report
Lietuvos Chirurgija
cholesterol granuloma
vallecular mass
laryngeal granuloma
title Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case Report
title_full Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case Report
title_fullStr Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case Report
title_short Vallecular Cholesterol Granuloma: Case Report
title_sort vallecular cholesterol granuloma case report
topic cholesterol granuloma
vallecular mass
laryngeal granuloma
url https://www.zurnalai.vu.lt/lietuvos-chirurgija/article/view/32148
work_keys_str_mv AT juratevertelyte vallecularcholesterolgranulomacasereport
AT arnoldasmorozas vallecularcholesterolgranulomacasereport