Airway papillomatosis is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), of which subtypes 6 and 11 account for the highest rates of disease1. Airway papillomatosis is characterized by the proliferation of benign squamous papillae in the respiratory tract2. Papillomas can develop at any site in the airway but are most common in the larynx and vocal cords, with rare diffuse involvement in the lungs. Incidence rates vary widely across countries; in the United States, 4.3 per 100,000 infants and 1.8 per 100,000 adults are affected3. Disease onset can begin in childhood due to maternal genital HPV infection or adulthood after sexual intercourse. Prognosis varies with age of onset, but the disease tend to be more severe and has a higher recurrence rate in children than adults1.

Currently, there is no cure for airway papillomatosis4. Surgery is the most important treatment modality because it limits disease progression and preserves normal anatomical structure. Other treatment methods include photoangiolytic laser therapy, HPV vaccines, photodynamic therapy, and targeted therapy. The treatment chosen depends on many factors, such as the size, number, and location of papillae; the extent of disease spread; and the age and general condition of the patient.

A 28-year-old male presented to the hospital with a fever and persistent cough. The patient had a history of general health, with dysphonia since childhood. He had been experiencing a productive cough with hemoptysis for one month and a fever for two days. At the time of admission, the patient’s vital signs were stable (heart rate: 72 BPM, blood pressure: 120/70 mmHg, temperature: 38°C [low-grade fever]). The patient was not anemic and had no dyspnea, enlarged lymph nodes, subcutaneous bleeding, abdominal pain, or jaundice. The patient’s abdomen was soft with no enlargement of the liver or spleen. Pulmonary examination revealed dysphonia, symmetric chest movement with breathing, and reduced apical alveolar murmur with faint rales on percussion. No other abnormalities were detected. Further, the patient had never been infected with COVID-19 and was unvaccinated.

Blood and biochemical tests showed inflammation with a white blood cell count of 10.14 g/L (normal range: 4 – 10 g/L), neutrophil content of 76.4% (normal range: 40 — 60%), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration of 19.17 mg/dL (normal range: < 10 mg/dL). Liver enzymes were slightly elevated (aspartate transaminase: 86 U/L [normal range: 8 – 33 U/L]; alanine transaminase: 128 U/L [normal range: 8 – 40 U/L]). Total urinalysis showed no abnormalities. Chest radiographs revealed opacities with unclear boundaries in the apex and base of the right lung and a large air cyst measuring 39 mm x 51 mm in the upper lobe (Figure 1). The left lung field was evenly lit. The mediastinum was balanced.

Seven days post-admission, a chest computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast showed that the right lung had cystic lesion with mild and irregular wall thickening scattered throughout the right lung field. The largest lesion was 42 mm in diameter and communicated with neighboring bronchial branches, thickened fibrous interstitial tissue, and adjacent parenchyma. There were also multiple solid nodules; the largest at the apex was 19 mm x 15 mm. The lung parenchyma of the lower lobe exhibited opacified ground glass lesions. The left lung also had abnormal nodular masses, but no enlarged lymph node or mediastinal masses (Figure 2). In addition, the patient’s bilateral vocal cords and vocal folds were increased in size, with soft nodular tissue protruding into the lumen and causing laryngeal stenosis in this region; the narrowest point was 4 mm in diameter (Figure 3). CT imaging suggested the presence of an airway papilloma. Accordingly, bronchoscopy showed the position of a hypopharynx-larynx polypoid lesion on the patient’s bilateral vocal cords and adhesions on the vocal cord anterior margin (Figure 4).

Figure 2

Figure 4

The patient was evaluated for tuberculosis (TB), fungal and bacterial infection , and malignancy. All tests were negative, including the TB test, and no bacteria or fungi were detected in bronchial fluid specimens. Histopathology of the vocal cord lesions showed no malignant cells and suggested a papilloma. The patient’s final diagnosis was airway papillomatosis with laryngeal and bronchial tree involvement. The patient was treated conservatively and symptomatically with the antibiotic moxifloxacin (400 mg due to clinical, radiological, and laboratory manifestations of a respiratory tract infection) and the mucolytic bromhexine (8 mg) for two weeks with follow-up every six months.

Airway papillomatosis, characterized by the development of papillomas in the respiratory tract, is a disease caused by HPV. There are more than 200 subtypes of HPV, but subtypes 6 and 11 account for 90% of cases1. Subtypes 16, 18, 31, and 33 are also associated with pathology but at a lower rate5. Subtypes 16 and 18 constitute high-risk infections and are associated with the potential for malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma4. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis can affect individuals of all ages, but most commonly affects children from 2 – 4 years of age and adults 20 – 40 years of age6. Airway papillomatosis in children is more common and more aggressive than in adults. The age of onset of our patient is not known; he experienced dysphonia since childhood but his pulmonary symptoms occurred one month before hospital admission. There is no difference in the incidence of airway papillomatosis between males and females6.

The most common respiratory site of papilloma formation are the larynx and vocal cords; lesions occur less frequently in the lower trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Other sites that may be involved include the oropharynx, nasopharynx, nose, and oral cavity4. Common clinical symptoms include dysphonia and prolonged cough less common are stridor and dyspnea7. In general, clinical signs are often nonspecific and require confirmation by other testing methods such as CT, endoscopic biopsy, or HPV DNA tests.

CT plays an important role in the diagnosis and characterization of lesions. The most common features include nodular thickening of the trachea and main bronchi solid nodules in the lung parenchyma cavitated nodules and masses air trapping and occasionally, pleural effusion7. In addition, the tracheal wall may appear irregular due to fibrosis or the presence of papilloma. Bronchiectasis or obstructive atelectasis may also occur. In cases of malignant transformation, regional lymph nodes can be seen8. Bronchoscopy is a critical tool that allows clinicians to view central airway lesions and collect specimens for pathology. A definitive diagnosis of airway papillomatosis is made on histopathology. Microscopically, papillomas consist of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium over a fibrovascular core9.

Currently, there is no cure for airway papillomatosis but surgical resection is the most important treatment modality. The goal of surgery is to remove as many papillomas as possible without damaging normal anatomical structures, thereby ensuring airway clearance and preserving vocal function4. Adjuvant therapy is indicated when surgery is not effective. Adjuvant treatments include antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and cidofovir, interferon, photodynamic therapy, and gene therapy.

Our patient was admitted to the hospital with a persistent cough and fever, and laboratory tests indicated the presence of inflammation. A CT scan revealed bilateral vocal cord and lung lesions consistent with airway papillomatosis. As a result, we performed otolaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Although we did not conduct an HPV DNA test, the patient’s final diagnosis was airway papillomatosis. Treatment was conservative and consisted of symptomatic treatment with periodic re-examination.

Airway papillomatosis is a chronic disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and manifests as a benign proliferation of squamous papillae in the airways. Although it is a benign disease, its clinical presentation can be severe, especially in young children. Treatment is challenging and there are no cures. Thus, to reduce the risk of recurrence and spread of lesions throughout the airways, early, correct diagnosis and careful treatment selection are required.

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Le VD and Ma MH: Case file retrieval and case summary preparation. Nguyen NC, Thieu-Thi TM, and Nguyen MD: preparation of manuscript and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Data and materials used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

This study was conducted in accordance with the amended Declaration of Helsinki. Our institution does not require ethical approval for reporting individual cases or case series. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient(s) for their anonymized information to be published in this article.

Not applicable.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.