Fungal infections of the larynx

Some generalizations regarding fungal infections of the larynx can be made. The reader is cautioned to refer to discussions of the individual infections for exceptions to these generalizations. For the most part, the mycoses are organisms of low pathogenicity emerging as opportunistic organisms thriving in a compromised host. The isolated fungal infections of the larynx reported are exceptions to the rule. Involvement of the larynx and other body sites outside the lung generally indicates a widely disseminated form of the disease. Fungal infections most commonly occur in the immunocompromised patient, including those afflicted with AIDS, cancer, leukemia, and other lymphoreticular neoplasms, patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy, patients with chronic systemic diseases, including diabetes mellitus and severe pulmonary disease, and patients who have undergone successful organ transplantation, which depends on immunologic suppression. Although specific fungi are characteristically found in designated endemic areas, the diseases may surface in remote areas in persons who have recently traveled through the endemic sites. The pathologic picture can be confusing, and pseudoepitheliomatous changes at times resemble malignancy. When atypical features occur in a patient with a suspicious history, special stains and cultures as well as skin tests and serologic studies may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis. For the most part, amphotericin B has been the mainstay of therapy, although the introduction of the newer azole drugs (ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole) may present a breakthrough in the future therapy of these lesions. Ketoconazole has been proven efficacious in certain fungal infections. Itraconazole has recently been released for clinical use. Because of its lower incidence of toxic side effects, it may replace ketoconazole in the therapy of these diseases. Finally, fluconazole, taken orally, effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier; appropriate clinical trials may prove it to be an acceptable agent for those fungi commonly affecting the central nervous system.