Laryngeal manifestations in acromegaly: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Laryngeal involvement in acromegaly is a rare occurrence that has been reported in several case reports. The aim of this paper is to present a clinical case followed by a systematic review of the literature. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted in April 2020. Included articles were reviewed for, type of study, date of publication, age of patient, main symptoms, duration of symptoms, laryngoscopy findings, treatment modalities and outcomes. Twenty-six cases were reported in the literature. Dyspnea was the most reported symptom followed by stridor and dysphonia. Tracheotomy was performed in (17/26) patients and adjunct laryngeal surgeries were performed in 7 (7/26) patients. Although laryngeal manifestations are rare in acromegaly, they sometimes carry functional and vital risks. A structured and multidisciplinary approach is critical for the optimal management of the airway in slowly progressive dyspnea and in acute life-threatening situations.

Keywords

• acromegaly
• larynx
• dyspnea