Pharyngolaryngeal location of Kaposi's sarcoma with airway obstruction in an HIV-negative patient

Tumori. 2013 Sep-Oct;99(5):e208-10. doi: 10.1177/030089161309900514.

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8)-associated angioproliferative disorder, and its occurrence may be favored by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and iatrogenic immunosuppression. It has also been postulated that a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin can pave the way to its development. KS generally involves mucosal and cutaneous sites, including the head and neck. An oropharyngeal location is quite common, but laryngeal involvement with possible upper airway obstruction and respiratory distress requiring tracheotomy is rare, and no hypopharyngeal locations have yet been reported. We describe the case of a 68-year-old male patient who developed KS after immunosuppressive treatment for pemphigus vulgaris, an autoimmune bullous disease presenting with blisters and erosions on the skin and the oral mucosa. KS was initially localized to the oral cavity and oropharynx, but subsequent involvement of the laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tract led to acute airway obstruction and the need for tracheotomy. This unique case of pharyngolaryngeal KS suggests that clinicians faced with purple nodular lesions should consider a differential diagnosis of KS in immunocompromised patients, even if they are HIV negative, and should carefully manage the patency of the upper airways.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter Infections / diagnosis
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / isolation & purification
  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Airway Obstruction / complications
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Emergency Treatment / methods
  • Fatal Outcome
  • HIV Seronegativity*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Mouth Mucosa / pathology*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / microbiology
  • Pemphigus / drug therapy
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia / microbiology
  • Respiratory Sounds / etiology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / complications
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / immunology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Shock, Septic / diagnosis
  • Shock, Septic / microbiology
  • Tracheotomy*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents