Fungal laryngitis: a forgotten disease mimicking laryngeal cancer—a case report

• Published in: The Egyptian journal of otolaryngology Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 188 - 4
• Main Authors: Srinivasagam, Kobinathan, Kumarasamy, Vigneswaran, Manab, Farah Wahida Abd, Daud, Aidayanti Mohamed, Randhawa, Aranjit Singh, Mohamad, Irfan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-12-2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Antifungal agents; Asthma; Biopsy; Cancer; Case Report; Case reports; Consent; Diabetes; Dysphagia; Editing; Endoscopy; Fungal; Fungal infections; Gastroesophageal reflux; Hoarseness; Immunocompetence; Laryngeal cancer; Laryngitis; Larynx; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Otolaryngology; Patients; Risk factors; Steroids; Surgery; Case report; Larynx; Dysphagia; Fungal; Hoarseness
• ISSN: 2090-8539; 1012-5574; 2090-8539
• DOI: 10.1186/s43163-023-00537-6

Background
Fungal laryngitis is a fungal infection of the larynx which is an extremely rare clinical entity, especially in immunocompetent patients. The diagnosis is often overlooked and delayed among patients, and it is usually evident among immunocompromised patients.
Case presentation
We herein present a case of a 60-year-old gentleman presented with dysphagia for 6 months associated with hoarseness. Endoscopic examination shows a fungating mass over the larynx that mimics cancer. However, a biopsy of the mass showed the presence of fungal spores.
Conclusion
This case report emphasizes the importance of clinical suspicion of fungal laryngitis and its early intervention.