Solitary plasmacytosis of the larynx in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Abstract

Solitary plasmacytosis of the larynx is a clinically unusual event. It may cause hoarseness or airway obstruction and usually needs surgical excision. Plasmacytosis is distinguished from extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) in that the latter primarily involves the head and neck and needs more intensive therapy such as radiotherapy. Many reports have described the histopathology and immunohistochemistry of EMP of the larynx; however, no literature in English has described solitary plasmacytosis of the larynx. We report a 44-year-old female patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and systemic lupus erythromatosus with Sjögren's syndrome. She complained of 1-year period of hoarseness that became exacerbated in the most recent 3 weeks. A wide-base and smooth-surface mass at the left supraglottic area was noted by direct laryngoscope. Computed tomography scan revealed a well-defined radiopaque mass. The histopathology of a specimen excised by carbon dioxide laser-assisted laryngomicrosurgery was interpreted initially as plasmacytoma. Immunohistochemical staining for kappa and lambda light chains demonstrated polyclonal plasma cells, and the definitive diagnosis was plasmacytosis. After 6 months follow-up, the subjective quality of her voice improved. Laryngoscopic examination revealed no evidence of recurrence.