Surgical resection of a large hypopharyngeal hemangioma in an adult using neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser: A case report.

BACKGROUND

Generally, hemangiomas do not require surgical intervention; however, cases of large hemangiomas, potentially involving the throat and trachea, necessitate surgical therapy. Here, we present a case of hypopharyngeal hemangioma in an adult that was successfully treated with neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) laser.

CASE SUMMARY

Laryngoscopic examination of a 61-year-old man demonstrated the presence of a large, submucosal vascular lesion that extended into the epiglottis, left arytenoid cartilage, lateral to the aryepiglottic fold, and pyriform sinus. The lesion was resected and photocoagulated with limited hemorrhage using Nd: YAG laser. The hypopharyngeal hemangioma was completely excised. The patient showed no recurrence of hypopharyngeal hemangioma during the 1.5-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Laser therapy is one of the effective tools for treating hemangiomas with rapid, uncontrolled growth or in functional areas, with few side effects and complications. The present case of a male patient with a large hypopharyngeal hemangioma, treated with YAG laser, demonstrates the efficacy of laser photocoagulation in treating cases of hemangiomas, without the risk of bleeding or airway obstruction. The favorable postoperative outcomes demonstrated by our patient with Nd: YAG laser therapy indicate its consideration in the therapy of similar cases.