Extraosseous osteoblastoma of larynx presenting with acute airway obstruction

We report the case of an osteoblastoma of the larynx arising from the vocal fold, which presented with acute airway obstruction and cardiopulmonary arrest. The histopathological findings, differential diagnoses and a novel method of treating laryngeal osteoblastoma, using transoral laser therapy, are discussed. Benign osteoblastoma is a rare primary bone tumour usually presenting in young patients in the spine and sacrum. Its occurrence in the larynx is very rare, with only three similar case reports in the literature, none involving tumour arising from the vocal fold. Differential diagnoses must be considered and excluded using both histopathological and clinical features. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, successful treatment is achieved with surgical excision. Osteoblastoma of the larynx is rare, and the clinical features can vary with the anatomical site of the lesion. The recommended treatment is surgical excision which, if available, may be achieved by transoral laser microsurgery. Due to its potential rapid growth, careful follow up is essential in order to detect recurrence.