Acute airway obstruction from a laryngeal lymphangioma in a child

Lymphangiomas present commonly in the head and neck region with over 90% of lesions diagnosed before 2 years of age. These lesions have rarely been re ported as a cause of acute upper airway obstruction and to date, there are very few reports in the literature documenting the presence of lymphangioma s in the larynx. We present the case of a previously asymptomatic 13-year-o ld girl with Joubert's syndrome, who presented with acute airway obstructio n while undergoing extubation for a routine dental procedure. Near-complete obstruction of her supraglottis from a lymphangioma necessitated tracheoto my to secure the airway. The diagnostic work-up and management of this pati ent and her post-operative course are discussed. This case illustrates the insidious presentation of a laryngeal lymphangioma and emphasizes the manag ement options for such patients. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.