A Case of Granulomas of the Larynx Due to Inhalation of an Alkaline Disinfectant

This is a report of a patient with sudden hoarseness which was probably caused by mis-inhalation of a commercially-available alkaline disinfectant. The patient was a 27-year-old female who sprayed it in a small room in order to prevent mould. She said she inhaled carelessly much amount of it. Next day, she suffered from hoarseness and strange sensation in her throat and visited our clinic. The laryngo-fiberscopical observation revealed that there were small masses with smooth suface at the posterior wall of the larynx bilaterally. The masses were resected under microlaryngoscopy and vaporized completely with a CO2 laser. A histopathological study revealed that the masses were nonspecific glanulomas. This disinfectant was one of strong alkalis chiefly consisting of NaOCl and NaOH. The corrosive action of the strong alkali might cause minute injuries around the bilateral vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilages. The granulomatous mass was probably produced by the injuries with secondarily occured bacterial infection. No recurrence has been found under the mirror-laryngoscopy after the treatment.