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A laryngocele revealing a small cell lung carcinoma. Background: Laryngocele is defined as an abnormal dilatation of the laryngeal ventricle. It is a very rare entity, and the exact underlying mechanism is still unclear. Laryngoceles are associated with larynx carcinoma but not yet lung cancer.
Case presentation: A 46-year-old man presented with stridor, wheezing, dyspnea at rest, hoarseness evolving over two months, and cyanosis secondary to cervical swelling. His medical history included a 72 pack-year smoking habit and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for 10 years. Airway management included a surgical tracheotomy for respiratory distress. A neck CT revealed laryngocele. A chest X-ray showed a left basal pulmonary opacity. Bronchoscopic exploration found an infiltrated and narrow left stem bronchus with complete stenosis of the lingula. Pathology revealed a small cell lung carcinoma.
Conclusion: Our case shows the possible association of laryngocele and lung carcinoma. The pathophysiology was explained by the long history of tobacco smoking and the underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with chronic cough.