Introduction Amyloidosis of the larynx is a rare entity accounting for approximately 1% of all
benign laryngeal masses, and the resulting neoplasia is even rarer. It is well known
that amyloidosis is a pre-malignant lesion for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic
lymphocytic leukemia and plasma cell neoplasia.
Case report In the present case, a 49-year-old man presented to our ENT outpatient clinic with
prolonged hoarseness after an infection. The voice was assessed in the acute perceptive
voice evaluation with R3B3H3, a glassy vocal fold polyp of the right vocal fold was
visible in the flexible video endoscopy. In the subsequent microlaryngoscopy, the
polyp is completely removed. The histologic examination results lead to the diagnosis:
AL amyloidosis k-lead chain and an associated, plasmacytically differentiated B-cell
neoplasia of unclear significance. Fortunately, the staging examination did not reveal
any cardiac or renal involvement or any hematologic correlate; only an incipient polyneuropathy
was considered to be associated.
Conclusion Harmless looking ENT masses may turn out to be rare entities and should therefore
always be included in the differential diagnosis. The patient is currently well, the
voice is significantly better 2 months postoperatively (R2B1H2), a hemato-oncological
aftercare programm in thr form of wait&watsch is established.
