An unusual cause of hoarseness of voice in an immunocompetent individual

• Main Authors: Soumen Chatterjee, Nandita Pal, Sukanta Chakraborty, Bhuban Majhi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Sciences
• Subjects: Primary vocal cord aspergillosis; laryngeal aspergillosis; fiberoptic laryngoscopy
• Online Access: http://jms.ndmctsgh.edu.tw/article.asp?issn=1011-4564;year=2017;volume=37;issue=1;spage=29;epage=31;aulast=Chatterjee

A 43-year-old female patient presented with the complaints of progressive hoarseness of voice for 6 months. There was no apparent evidence of immunodeficiency, abuse of voice, systemic infection, or trauma. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed whitish plaques mimicking leukoplakia that involved both the vocal cords. Investigations ruled out malignancy and confirmed primary vocal cord aspergillosis. The lesions responded dramatically to oral antifungal drugs. High index of suspicion and micropathological awareness regarding such an entity are of utmost importance since the management depends on accurate diagnosis and timely introduction of proper antifungal therapy.