Synchronous plexiform neurofibroma in the arytenoids and neurofibroma in the parapharynx in a patient with non-neurofibromatosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Plexiform neurofibroma of the larynx is a rare disease. In this report, we present a plexiform neurofibroma in the arytenoids and neurofibroma in the parapharynx detected coincidently. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old Asian woman presented with respiratory distress and episodes of apnea at night. A solitary mass from the left arytenoids was found to be nearly obstructing the airway and causing the sleep apnea. There was also a parapharynx mass protruding into the pharynx. The parapharynx tumor was removed with the lateral incision approach, and the arytenoid tumor was removed with a transoral carbon dioxide laser. The pathologic diagnosis was plexiform neurofibroma for the arytenoid mass and neurofibroma for the parapharynx mass. CONCLUSION: We have reported an extremely rare case of plexiform neurofibroma in the arytenoids and neurofibroma in the parapharynx. This entity may be considered in the differential diagnosis of all laryngeal and parapharynx masses.