Invasive laryngeal candidiasis: a cause of stridor in the previously irradiated patient

Abstract

AbstractUpper airway obstruction is always a serious condition. In patients who have previously been irradiated for a laryngeal malignancy, it normally implies either residual or recurrent disease. We report a case of stridor due to invasive laryngeal candidiasis in a patient who had undergone radiotherapy for a T1aN0squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis eight months earlier. Extensive investigation failed to identify recurrence of disease and the patient responded to prolonged topical antifungal therapy. Infection withCandidaspecies is most frequently found in debilitated or immunocompromised patients. Although cases of upper airway obstruction in children secondary to idiopathic laryngeal candidiasis have been reported, to our knowledge no such presentation has been described in adults. This report highlights the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment. Familiarity with candidal infection is important for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.