Laryngeal pathology in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: Diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has produced a growing population of patients who, because of their associated immune system compromise, are pr one to opportunistic infections and neoplastic diseases. The larynx. with i ts relatively inaccessible yet critical anatomic location, is a site in whi ch these: processes can produce clinical dilemmas, with respect to diagnosi s as well as to therapy. By presenting 4 cases involving unusual laryngeal problems in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), we emphasize these inherent diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Otolaryngo logists must be familiar with the many diagnostic possibilities and therape utic alternatives when HIV-infected patients present with laryngeal complai nts