Lobular capillary hemangioma of the neonatal larynx

OBJECTIVE: To describe a previously unreported condition of the neonatal larynx. DESIGN: Case series of 4 neonates with an uncommon laryngeal lesion. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Four neonates in the first 10 days of life with stridor, hoarseness, and respiratory distress. INTERVENTION: The patients were examined using flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy, and laryngeal lesions were identified and subsequently removed using microlaryngoscopy. Photodocumentation of the lesions was performed. Microscopic evaluation of biopsy specimens by a pathologist followed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Each patient's medical record was carefully reviewed for prenatal history, birth history, neonatal history, pathologic findings, and office follow-up. RESULTS: All 4 neonates were delivered atraumatically and developed symptoms of upper airway obstruction within the first few minutes to days of life. Each neonate was found to have an obstructive laryngeal lesion requiring surgical intervention. No child had other congenital abnormalities or a history of obvious laryngeal trauma. Pathologic review of each laryngeal specimen revealed inflammatory lesions with characteristic features of a lobular capillary hemangioma (or a pyogenic granuloma). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of a lobular capillary hemangioma of the larynx should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a newborn with stridor, hoarseness, or respiratory distress. The cases seem to be of congenital origin, although acquired pathogenesis cannot be ruled out. Treatment of these lesions includes microscopic surgical excision.