Abstract
Introduction Rhabdomyoma is a rare benign tumor derived from skeletal muscles. Laryngeal rhabdomyomas
are even rarer, with only approximately 40 reported cases in world literature. Laryngeal
rhabdomyomas usually are seen as masses covered by mucosa. They are often solitary
asymptomatic tumors, but symptoms such as hoarseness can occur. The radiologic features
are usually those typical of benign neoplasms, showing well-delineated borders. The
differential diagnoses for laryngeal masses include cysts, laryngoceles, and benign
and malignant neoplasms. The diagnosis is usually made using histopathologic findings,
but in some cases some difficulties can be found. Immunohistochemical staining is
of great value in the differentiation of similar tumors. Treatment of rhabdomyoma
is surgical excision.
Objective To describe a case of rhabdomyoma of the larynx attended at Santa Casa de Misericórdia
do Rio de Janeiro.
Case Report A 35-year-old man presented with progressive hoarseness in the preceding year. Laryngoscopy
showed a large submucosal tumor at the supraglottic region of the larynx. The neck
computed tomography scan confirmed the submucosal mass, with distinct borders. The
patient was taken to the operating suite, where endoscopic extirpation of the mass
was performed. Initial histologic diagnosis was suggestive of paraganglioma, which
was not confirmed by studies with immunohistochemical markers, and diagnosis was changed
to adult-type rhabdomyoma. The patient recovered well. His voice returned to normal
after 3 months.
Discussion Although muscle tumors of the larynx are very rare, rhabdomyoma should be considered
when there is a submucosal mass in the larynx.
Keywords
immunohistochemistry - laryngeal neoplasms - rhabdomyoma
