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Larynx Lipoma

Lipoma is a benign fatty tumor that can occur in any part of the body. On the neck or some other unseen part of the body, it does not require removal. But in the larynx, slow enlargement may disturb voice or even breathing, and therefore these tumors need to be removed. Removal needs to be complete to prevent re-enlargement.

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mass bulging the left vocal cord

Larynx Lipoma (1 of 7)

This extremely hoarse man underwent unsuccessful attempt elsewhere to remove this submucosal mass bulging the left vocal cord (right of photo). It is a lipoma (benign fatty tumor).
coronal CT image

CT image of tumor (2 of 7)

This coronal CT image shows the large tumor (radiolucent (black) lesion at the arrow). This tumor was removed definitively via a small neck incision. The intent was to make a small thyroid cartilage window to be sure of complete removal, but instead, the entire mass was able to be teased out through the cricothyroid space.
Larynx Lipoma

Lipoma removed (3 of 7)

A few weeks after removal of the mass. The patient’s voice is virtually normal. Note that the bulge of the left vocal cord (right of photo) is mostly gone, with residual swelling due to recent surgery.
Larynx Lipoma

Cords match (4 of 7)

When the patient produces voice, the cords match (straight dark line), explaining why his voice is now “normal.”
CT image 6 months after surgery

CT image 6 months after surgery (5 of 7)

CT image, taken 6 months after removal of the lipoma. Compare with photo 2.
no sign of recurrence

No sign of lipoma (6 of 7)

Three years after removal, there is no sign of recurrence. Compare with image 3, obtained weeks after removal.
During phonation

During phonation (7 of 7)

During phonation, three years after removal. Compare with image 4.

Resources for Further Information

Dixon OJ, Helwig, FC. Lipoma of the Larynx. Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 1931;14(3):284-290. doi:10.1001/archotol.1931.00630020324005

Okromelidze L, Middlebrooks EH, Bhatt AA. Lipoma of the Larynx and Other Differential Diagnoses. Journal of clinical imaging science. 2019;9:51-51. doi:10.25259/jcis_123_2019

Nada G, Omezzine JS, Maher D, Nouha D, Hssine H. Laryngeal lipoma: a rare cause of dysphonia. Pan African Medical Journal. 2017;26. doi:10.11604/pamj.2017.26.9.10577

Ma Y, Zhou B, Wang S. Large lipoma in the subglottic larynx: a case report. Journal of International Medical Research. 2020;48(6). doi:10.1177/0300060520928786

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