Laryngeal amyloidosis: treatment vs. abstention

Four cases of laryngeal amyloidosis diagnosed between 1986 and 1992 are reported. Two cases had supraglottic localization and the remaining two involved both glottis and subglottis. CT was performed in all cases. Diagnosis was made in the four cases by biopsy. All of them were classified as localized laryngeal amyloidosis after doing immunoelectrophoretic study in blood and urine, and rectal biopsy in two cases. Surgical excision by carbon dioxide laser was performed in one patient, while in the remaining three patients, a preservative attitude was taken. Results of both attitudes are presented, as well as a literature review on the topic.