Recurrent Respiratory Papilloma of the Larynx

Abstract

Recurrent respiratory papilloma (RRP) is a common benign neoplasm that most commonly affects the larynx. Caused primarily by human papilloma virus (HPV) types 6 and 11, RRP affects both children and adults; juvenile-onset RRP is thought to be related to HPV exposure during childbirth, whereas adult-onset disease has been hypothesized to be related to sexual contact.1Aaltonen L.M. Rihkanen H. Vaheri A. Human papillomavirus in larynx.Laryngoscope. 2002; 112: 700-707https://doi.org/10.1097/00005537-200204000-00020Crossref PubMed Scopus (83) Google Scholar Symptoms of RRP are typically voice or airway related. Adults tend to experience voice changes, primarily because of impairment of vocal fold vibration in the setting of papilloma along the membranous vocal folds. In children, in whom lesions tend to grow more quickly, airway narrowing may present with stridor in addition to voice changes. Direct or indirect laryngoscopy is standard work-up. Flexible fiberoptic or distal chip scopes may reveal heaped, irregular lesions of the glottis (Figure 1A) or supraglottis, and filters (eg, narrow-band imaging) (Figure 1B) may help to reveal intraepithelial capillary loops. Biopsy remains the criterion standard for diagnosis. Figure 2 illustrates typical findings, including a higher-power image of a cellular papillary frond with viral cytopathic effects and corresponding chromogenic in situ hybridization for low-risk HPV type 6/11.2Venkatesan N.N. Pine H.S. Underbrink M.P. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2012; 45 (671-94, viii-ix. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2012.03.006)Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (89) Google Scholar Treatment includes excision or ablation with cold technique, photoangiolytic lasers, or microdebriders, with maximal conservation of the subepithelial vocal fold tissue. Recurrent respiratory papilloma routinely recurs, and so adjunct treatments with cidofovir and bevacizumab are advocated for recalcitrant cases.3Pogoda L. Ziylan F. Smeeing D.P.J. Dikkers F.G. Rinkel R.N.P.M. Bevacizumab as treatment option for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: a systematic review.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022; 279: 4229-4240https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07388-6Crossref Scopus (3) Google Scholar Emerging evidence suggests that HPV vaccination, even in those already affected, may be beneficial in reducing the severity of disease.4Ponduri A, Azmy MC, Axler E, et al. The efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccination as an adjuvant therapy in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Laryngoscope. Published online January 18, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.30560.Google Scholar The authors report no competing interests.