ND-YAG LASER TREATMENT FOR LARYNGEAL AND HYPOPHARYNGEAL HEMANGIOMAS -A NEW TECHNIQUE

The treatment of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal hemangiomas is indicated when they are symptomatic, causing dysphagia, recurrent bleeding, or airway obstruction. These tumors are found in the glottis, supraglotti c larynx, and hypopharynx. Histologically, they are considered as mixe d or cavernous-type hemangiomas. By utilizing a glass slide to compres s the lesion, its thickness and blood flow are reduced. The tumor can then be laser-photocoagulated with less energy, with the glass slide u sed as a laser platform. These conditions optimize the benefits of las er ablation while minimizing the adverse heat sink effects to the surr ounding healthy tissue. We present three patients with hemangiomas of the larynx and hypopharynx who were treated with this technique. The d etails of the technique in each case will be presented with the object ive of improving the care of these unusual and challenging tumors.