Primary Vocal Cord Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT

Fungal infection of vocal cord in immunocompetent host is rare and may be missed as the lesion may mimic granulomatous disease, carcinoma, leukoplakia etc. Here we present a case of a healthy male patient. A 77 years old male patient presented to ENT specialist with complaints of hoarseness of voice for last 3 months. The patient was a non-smoker, not immunocompromised or taking immunosuppressive drugs. He was prone to seasonal bouts of cough & cold with sneezing. Video laryngoscopy showed inflamed tonsils and congested vallecula & epiglottis. Both vocal cords showed proliferative mass, white keratotic patch in anterior & middle third portion with restricted movement. Tissue samples from both vocal cords was sent for histopathology (HP). Slide examination revealed necrotic exudate containing broad based aseptate fungal hyphae and a provisional diagnosis of vocal cord fungal infection favoring Mucor mycosis was made. Patient was started on Itraconazole 100 mg twice daily along with treatment for patient's allergic condition. The slides and tissue sample obtained by direct laryngoscopy were sent to a different lab for reconfirmation. Further HP examination showed necrotic exudate and fibrin deposits with abundant fungal spores & hyphae. Grocott methenamine silver (GMS) stain & Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining showed fungal spores and branching septate fungal hyphae confirming a diagnosis of vocal cord aspergillosis. His routine blood tests, serology, ECG reports were normal. RTPCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) for SARS-CoV-2 was negative. After final diagnosis, patient was referred to pulmonologist to exclude pulmonary aspergillosis. Medication was changed to Voriconazole 200 mg twice daily along with antileukotrienes & antihistamines for his seasonal allergies. Patient was asked to follow up with CT chest to exclude pulmonary aspergillosis. The CT chest did not show any chest pathology. His voice was normal and other physical examinations were within normal limit. He was prescribed Voriconazole 200 mg twice daily for 3 months along with antihistamines, antileukotrienes, proton pump inhibitors & cough syrup. He was advised to come for follow up with liver function test after 4 weeks. Primary fungal infection of vocal cords is rare. Fungal infection is common in immunocompromised host but to detect such cases in healthy immunocompetent patient requires high level of suspicion and usually oral antifungal therapy for 3-4 weeks results in complete resolution of symptoms & lesion as per the current literature. (Figure Presented).