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Case Reports: Unusual presentation of more common disease/injury
Pyogenic granuloma of the epiglottis: a common lesion in a rare site
  1. Helena Franco1,2 and
  2. Nicola Slee2,3
  1. 1Department of Global Medicine and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  2. 2Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Mater Misericordiae Ltd Brisbane, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. 3Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Helena Franco; helena_franco{at}hms.harvard.edu

Abstract

Pyogenic granulomas are benign vascular lesions occurring on skin and mucous membranes, most commonly in the oral cavity.

A case report of a woman in her 80s who presented with one episode of haemoptysis, secondary to an atypical epiglottic lesion is discussed. The patient denied associated symptoms, such as dyspnoea, dysphasia or recent weight loss. Flexible nasendoscopy and CT scan confirmed a highly vascular pedunculated mass on the left laryngeal surface of the epiglottis. The lesion was completely excised and there was no sign of recurrence after a 12-month follow-up.

This case report represents the fourth documented case of a pyogenic granuloma arising from the epiglottis, resulting in haemoptysis. While rare, there is a significant risk of airway compromise from haemorrhage, which is refractory to pressure and may be difficult to control at this site. Surgery is required to completely excise the lesion and prevent recurrence.

  • Ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology
  • Intensive care

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2022-253199

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors HF performed the literature review and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. NS analysed the patient’s presentation, treated the patient and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.