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Blastomycosis of the larynx: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021
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Blastomycosis is a group of chronic non-contagious diseases related to deep mycoses, affecting the skin, bones, mucous membranes and internal organs. The disease was called Gilchrist syndrome, named after the American dermatologist T. Gilchrist (1862-1927), who first described it; this form of the disease, characterized by the defeat of the lungs and skin, was also called "North American blastomycosis."
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13]
What causes blastomycosis of the larynx?
Blastomycosis of the larynx is caused by yeast and yeast-like fungi, in particular, with regard to Gilchrist's disease, - Vlastomyces dermatidis or Monilia sacharomyecs criptococcus.
The reservoir of pathogens of blastomycosis is the soil. Infection occurs usually by inhaling fungus spores with dust. Mostly sick people working in agriculture.
Pathological anatomy of the blastomycosis of the larynx
Blastomycosis of the larynx begins with the appearance of small round red papules, mainly on open parts: the face, hands, forearms, etc. Part of the papules soon turn into pustules, opening with the release of purulent bloody liquid and the subsequent formation of crusts. As a result of slow peripheral growth and the coalescence of the elements of the rash, more or less large infiltrated, less painful ulcers with scalloped, raised, steeply cutting edges towards the center are formed. In the center of the hearth there is healing with the formation of a scar, closer to the periphery develop papillary and verrucose proliferations, covered with serous-purulent discharge. The skin around the hearth is often dark purple; in this zone you can see miliary pustules.
Symptoms of blastomycosis of the larynx
Blastomycosis of the larynx in an isolated form is extremely rare. Most often it occurs in conjunction with blastomycosis of the lungs or skin. The latter combination greatly facilitates the diagnosis, very difficult when isolated form. Significantly less blastomycosis of the larynx is combined with a similar lesion of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx.
When the larynx is ill, patients usually present the same complaints as with sporotrichosis of the larynx, but these symptoms of the laryngeal blastomycosis are rarely taken into account due to the general severe condition with concurrent blastomycosis of the lungs.
Diagnosis of laryngeal blastomycosis
Diagnosis of the blastomycosis of the larynx is carried out in the same way as in sporotrichosis of the larynx. When laryngoscopy at the beginning of the disease is determined by a dark-red swelling in the epiglottis, cherpalonadgortan folds and other areas of the mucous membrane of the larynx. Soon on this swelling appear small nodules of a yellowish color, transforming into pustules containing a purulent-bloody liquid. These pustules are scarred, and in their place in the chronic course of the disease there are new ones.
What do need to examine?
Treatment of blastomycosis of the larynx
Blastomycosis of the larynx is treated in the same way as sporotrichosis of the larynx.