Pediatric granular cell tumor in the posterior wall of the larynx extending to the trachea

Abstract

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a slow-growing benign neoplasm that can be found in any organ. Pediatric laryngotracheal GCT is rare. We experienced a 6-year-old boy suffering from a barking cough and symptoms of stridor and croup for one month. Head and neck computed tomography revealed a protruding mass that occluded 60% of the airway lumen. Under the impression of hemangioma or papilloma, excision revealed a submucosal non-encapsulated mass. Histologically, the mass was composed of sheets of large polyhedralshaped tumor cells containing plump eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and centrally placed, small, bland-appearing nuclei. The tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, and voluminous eosinophilic cytoplasm was stained by diastase-resistant periodic acid-Schiff. The present report describes a unique case of a huge pediatric laryngeal GCT extending to the subglottic trachea. We also review the clinical course of pediatric laryngotracheal GCT and emphasize the importance of diagnosing GCT in children.

Keywords

• granular cell tumor
• trachea
• larynx
• children