Thymoma with an incidental benign laryngeal mass mimicking laryngeal carcinoma: Case report

Ear Nose Throat J. 2016 Feb;95(2):68-80.

Abstract

Thymic carcinomas are rarely seen. Because of recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement, hoarseness is a common presenting symptom. Persistent hoarseness in a male smoker past his fifth decade is also a distinctive symptom for laryngeal carcinoma. Stroboscopic laryngeal examination and biopsy are required for the diagnosis. In this article we describe a case involving a patient with thymic carcinoma who, interestingly, also presented with a benign laryngeal mass with unilateral vocal fold fixation. We emphasize the importance of keeping in mind nonlaryngeal pathologies invading the recurrent laryngeal nerve in patients with persistent hoarseness and a nonspesific laryngeal mass.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hoarseness / etiology
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Larynx / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / pathology
  • Thymoma / complications
  • Thymoma / diagnosis*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / complications
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vocal Cords