Int J Clin Pract. 2012 Feb; 66(2): 183-4
Harris AT, Atkinson H, Vaughan C, Knight LC

Introduction:  The human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause laryngeal papillomatosis in childhood. The aetiology is thought to be vertical transmission. Clinically these children are usually asymptomatic for the first 6 months of life. As the papillomas develop locally, symptoms begin to develop. The symptoms range from voice change to frank hoarseness, and 'noisy' breathing, most commonly inspiratory stridor. Method:  Clinical images from microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy over a 12-year period were assessed for laryngeal papilloma. Results:  In Leeds seven cases presented to the specialist centre over the past 12 years, the average age at presentation was 6.8 years and duration of onset of symptoms to specialist review was 21 months. Five of the children had been treated for asthma and two presented in extremis. Conclusion:  The take home message for clinicians is hoarse voice associated with shortness of breath needs specialist referral.

Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Panonica Adriat. 2011 Sep; 20(3): 175-80
Boltežar IH, Bahar MS, Zargi M, Gale N, Matičič M, Poljak M

Respiratory papillomatosis affects the larynx in most cases. It is a relatively rare disease, with potentially devastating consequences for the patient. Many studies have proven the viral etiology of the disease. Surgery is the most successful mode of treatment. Adjuvant therapy is used in cases of aggressive disease. The most successful adjuvant drugs are interferon, various virostatics (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir, and cidofovir) and indole-3-carbinol. Vaccination with a quadrivalent vaccine against HPV will probably decrease the incidence of respiratory papillomatosis or help in the treatment of the disease in the future. The results of adjuvant therapy of laryngeal papillomatosis at the University Department of ORL & HNS in Ljubljana are comparable to the results in other centers around the world.

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2011 Sep; 49(9): 667-73
Shiobara Y, Goto H, Hoshino M, Tsukahara T, Yamaguchi N, Ito M, Nozawa A, Tsukiji J, Ishigatsubo Y, Kaneko T

We recently experienced one each of 2 types of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Case 1 (juvenile-onset type): A 30-year-old woman presenting with bloody sputum and large tumors with cavities on her chest Xray film, was referred to our hospital. She had been diagnosed with laryngeal papillomatosis when she was three years old. According to our bronchoscopical examination biopsy, she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in addition to papillomatosis of the trachea and bronchus. Although chemotherapy was performed, she died 2 years after the diagnosis of lung cancer without any distinct treatment efficacy. Case 2 (adult-onset type): A 43 year-old woman presenting with fever and dry cough visited our hospital. Chest CT revealed that there was narrowing of bilateral main bronchi and hilar lymphadenopathy. Bronchoscopic examination revealed diffuse papilloma distributed extensively from the trachea to bilateral main bronchi. However, she recovered spontaneously in 6 months and has remained stable without recurrence. Both cases were diagnosed with RRP based on the separation of HPV in case 1 and pathological findings of koilocytosis in case 2. Case 1 was complicated with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in the clinical course, presumably due to occurrence of malignant conversion of papillomatosis. Since RRP is a rare but refractory disease, novel effective treatment is necessary.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Nov; 75(11): 1442-5
Bo L, Wang B, Shu SY

The excision of laryngeal papillomas poses a great challenge for both the anesthesiologist and the surgeon. The narrowness of the airways and the great variability of the pathological lesions necessitate close collaboration between the surgical and anesthesia teams to provide optimal operating conditions and ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Our aim was to explore perioperative anesthesia management in pediatric patients during the excision of laryngeal papillomas with a suspension laryngoscope.Fifty-eight pediatric patients suffering from laryngeal papillomas were included in this retrospective study. These patients had degrees of laryngeal obstruction from I to III and underwent suspension laryngoscopic surgery to excise laryngeal papillomas between January 2007 and December 2010. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of the patients ranged from I to III. Anesthesia was induced by intravenous administration. Once the child was unconscious, a 2% lidocaine aerosol solution was sprayed over the laryngeal area directly under the laryngoscope. For patients to tolerate suspension laryngoscopy, it is necessary to maintain spontaneous breathing and ensure adequate anesthesia depth. The airway was secured, and sufficient ventilation was established throughout a tracheal tube (ID 2.5 or 3.0) which was placed close to glottis and connected to Jackson Rees system. Hemodynamic parameters and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) were closely monitored, and adverse events were recorded.Most of the patients 89% (52/58) were hemodynamically stable during the perioperative period. Laryngospasm and laryngeal edema occurred in several children during emergence from the anesthesia. Tracheal intubations were performed in six patients (10.3%). Tracheotomies were performed in two patients. One patient had to be sent to the ICU for comprehensive therapy.The most important consideration for anesthesia during suspension laryngoscopy is (1) the maintenance of adequate ventilation, (2) to permit surgical exposure, and (3) to maintain suitable depth of anesthesia which relaxes the vocal band, avoids laryngeal spasms (reflex closure), reduces cardiovascular reaction and wakes up quickly after operation. Any factors that aggravate laryngeal obstruction and dyspnea should be avoided.

J Laryngol Otol. 2011 Aug; 125(8): 873-6
Rachmanidou A, Modayil PC

To demonstrate the successful treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis in a 32-month-old girl, using coblation (radio-frequency ablation) resection.A 32-month-old girl was referred to the ENT out-patients clinic due to a hoarse cry and a very croaky voice since birth. Under general anaesthesia, fibre-optic airway endoscopy revealed a large papillomatous lesion involving the anterior glottis, which was reported as a laryngeal papilloma on histological analysis. This was later excised using an Evac 70Xtra wand. The patient made an uneventful post-operative recovery, and there were no signs of recurrence on repeated airway endoscopies at three and 18 months.Coblation (radio-frequency ablation) is a promising surgical technique for the treatment of paediatric laryngeal papillomatosis. The main advantages of this technique include limited damage to underlying tissues and a bloodless field.

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Sep; 268(9): 1305-11
Wierzbicka M, Jackowska J, Bartochowska A, Józefiak A, Szyfter W, Kędzia W

To present the results of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) treatment with surgical excision and adjuvant anti-viral cidofovir intralesional use and to examine the correlation between the cidofovir effectiveness and the patient previous history of multiple larynx procedures, age, extension of lesion and dose. 32 patients with laryngeal papillomas were treated with cidofovir in our Department between I.2009 and I.2011. The number of previous RRP debulking procedures ranged from 1 to 100. The intensity of papillomatosis differed from one anatomic site and moderate growth to four or five localizations with heavy extension. The number of injections per patient varied from 1 to 7, and the total volume of 5 mg/ml solution varied from 2 to 33 ml. The injections were combined with laser debulking of the lesions. In disperse papillomata, the injections were administered in particular anatomical sites in 4-6 weeks intervals, in massive lesions injections were repeated in the same anatomical site in 2-4 weeks. Complete remission was observed in 18 out of 32 patients. 13 patients showed remission in a place of cidofovir injection. One patient did not react to the drug. In four patients, new changes in injection places appeared. In two patients, hepatic toxic side effects were observed. Intralesional cidofovir injection has been shown to be an effective and safe therapy for laryngeal papillomatosis and should be considered in those patients who experienced disease relapse.

Laryngoscope. 2011 Apr; 121(4): 846-51
Ilmarinen T, Nissilä H, Rihkanen H, Roine RP, Pietarinen-Runtti P, Pitkäranta A, Aaltonen LM

To determine clinical features, health-related quality of life, and adult voice in patients with a history of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP).Case-control study.All 32 patients with JORRP treated at Helsinki University Hospital between 1975 and 1994 were invited to an outpatient visit in spring 2008, and 18 of them (56%) entered the study. Each patient had an age- and gender-matched control subject with similar smoking habits. Videolaryngostroboscopy was performed and voice quality determined by acoustic and perceptual analysis. Voice-quality characteristics of the whole patient group and the recurrence-free patients were examined separately. Subjective voice-related disability was studied with voice handicap index (VHI) and health-related quality of life with a 15D questionnaire.Acoustic analysis showed that patients had statistically significantly higher values in percent jitter, percent shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio. Perceptual analysis indicated higher scores for patients in overall grade, roughness, breathiness, and strain. Acoustic and perceptual values for recurrence-free patients (n = 14) were also significantly higher than those for their matched paired controls. No statistically significant differences emerged for handicap related to voice or to health-related quality of life. Four study patients (22%) had undergone tracheotomy, indicating severity of juvenile-onset disease.JORRP is a risk factor for permanent laryngeal pathology and voice-disturbances in adulthood.

Ugeskr Laeger. 2011 Feb 14; 173(7): 506-7
Grøn AL, Schultz JH, Abildgaard J

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is considered a benign disease although malignant transformation is well-described. The involvement of human papilloma virus (HPV) in malignant transformation is still being discussed. We present a case of rapid malignant transformation of RRP in a 29-year-old male. The tumour as well as biopsies from his previous laryngeal papillomas tested positive for HPV 16. Introduction of a quadrivalent HPV vaccine with a view to preventing cervical cancer may also reduce RRP, and subsequently possibly also the incidence of head-and-neck cancers.

J Laryngol Otol. 2011 Apr; 125(4): 402-4
Sahota RS, Uddin FJ, Al-Shukri J, Moir AA

Laryngeal papillomatosis is characterised by multiple papillomata affecting the upper respiratory tract. This condition is difficult to treat due to its recurrent nature. Treatment often involves surgical debulking. A number of non-surgical treatments have been reported. Intralesional cidofovir, a cytosine nucleoside analogue with antiviral activity, has been used in an attempt to manage the condition. We present a novel technique of administering cidofovir in a case of recurrent laryngotracheal papillomata.

Arch Dis Child. 2011 May; 96(5): 476-7
Mudry P, Vavrina M, Mazanek P, Machalova M, Litzman J, Sterba J

The authors describe the case of a 5-year-old girl with recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis (RLP) due to human papillomavirus (HPV) type 11, who required frequent surgical treatment. Complete recovery occurred after HPV vaccination (Gardasil). Confirmed remission of RLP has continued during the 17 months of follow-up since vaccination. The authors conclude that HPV vaccination may represent a new therapeutic option in this situation.

Paediatr Anaesth. 2010 Dec; 20(12): 1084-91
Li SQ, Chen JL, Fu HB, Xu J, Chen LH

To review perioperative airway management and ventilation strategy during the surgical removal of papilloma under suspension laryngoscopy in pediatric patients with severe airway obstruction.Seventy pediatric patients with degree III and IV laryngeal obstruction who underwent suspension laryngoscopy to remove laryngeal papillomatosis, between July 2005 and March 2009, were included in the study. All patients were intubated initially to secure the airway. Controlled ventilation through an endotracheal (ET) tube was used during the papilloma debulking near the glottis vera. Spontaneous ventilation or apneic technique was adopted based on the stage of the surgical procedure and the location of the remaining tumor. Hemodynamic parameters, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), and CO(2) were closely monitored, and adverse events were recorded.The duration of the surgical operation and the duration of the extubation period were 5-35 min and 5-20 min, respectively. Thirty cases with degree III and twenty cases with degree IV laryngeal obstruction received inhalation induction. Sixteen cases with degree III laryngeal obstruction were given an intravenous induction. Four patients admitted with a comatose status were emergently intubated without any anesthetics. The ET tube size was determined by assessing the opening through the tumor mass or glottic aperture under direct laryngoscopy. SpO(2) was maintained above 97% after the airway was secured and sufficient ventilation established. Controlled ventilation was used in all children during the bulk removal of tumor. Spontaneous respiration and apneic technique were adopted for the removal of the remaining tumor in the hypolarynx or trachea in 16 and 28 cases, respectively. Three patients had to be re-intubated postoperatively because of persistent desaturation or laryngospasm.Key points of perioperative airway management in pediatric patients with papillomatosis-induced severe laryngeal obstruction include careful preoperative airway evaluation; the proper choice of induction methods, and ET tube size; maintenance of an adequate depth of anesthesia; and flexible ventilation strategy, continuous and close monitoring during the extubation and postextubation period; and prompt management of adverse events.

Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 2010 Nov-Dec; 61(6): 422-7
Gutiérrez Castillo C, Monerris García E, Duran MD, Sancho Mestre M, Gras JR

The study goal was to evaluate the efficacy of CO₂ laser surgery in the treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis. We analysed several parameters such as gender, average age, relapse rate and viral serotype.A total of 26 diagnosed patients were included in this retrospective descriptive review. All of them were treated with CO₂ laser for laryngeal papillomas between 1995 and 2010.This pathology was more prevalent in males (65.5%), with a slight predominance of a single larynx localisation over multiple lesion locations. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was detected in 75.8% of the cases; genotypes 6 and 11 prevailed. Of the patients in this review, 44.8% relapsed; the relapse average was 2-3 episodes per patient. A total of 20.7% of cases were in remission (no relapse in the last 2 months); 34.5%, clearing (no apparent relapse in the last 3 years); and 41.3% in the healing stage (without relapse in the last 5 years). There was only one case that showed malignancy.Papillomatosis is characterised as a pathology with an unpredictable course and with a low probability of malignancy. CO₂ laser surgery has meant a revolution in symptomatic treatment, but there is presently no curative treatment.