Laryngeal Involvements in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. A Case Report

Abstract

A laryngeal involvement of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rare except that acute laryngitis occasionally occurs. A 28-year-old woman who had SLE developed hoarseness. A bamboo-joint-like lesion was noted at the middle of the bilateral vocal cords. Histologically the lesion was located subepithelially and it consisted of fibrous tissue and many plasma cells. Immunohistological analysis revealed IgA and IgG in some of the plasma cells. The anti-ribonucleoprotein antibody showed high index one year before the onset of hoarseness. It was assumed that the lesion was re lated with SLE. The lesion was excised under the laryngo-microsurgery and hoarseness improved.