Observations on the early results of treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis using cidofovir.

OBJECTIVE

To document the response of two patients with severe recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis following treatment with intralesional cidofovir in conjunction with carbon-dioxide laser evaporation.

SETTING

Tertiary referral centre.

METHODS

Retrospective review of treatment of two patients followed up over a 12-month period.

INTERVENTION

Microlaryngoscopy and carbon-dioxide laser evaporation of lesions followed by intralesional injection of cidofovir.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Photodocumentation and descriptive statistical representation of intervals between endoscopic treatment. The disease was staged according to severity on endoscopy.

RESULTS

Initially, both patients showed a marked improvement of disease. However, the disease relapsed to a significant extent. Overall, there was no demonstrable change in the frequency of required endoscopies despite subjective improvement of the airway.

CONCLUSION

Cidofovir may be of some benefit in the management of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, but further studies are still required.