A Challenging Case of Severe Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis in Childhood Requiring 28 Surgical Interventions: A Case Report

Nasir Aliyu¹, Abdullahi Adamu², Lawal Shuaibu¹, Ismail Makera²

Keywords: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, human papillomavirus, laryngeal papilloma, direct laryngoscopy, tracheostomy

DOI: 10.63475/yjm.v5i1.0352

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.63475/yjm.v5i1.0352

Publish Date: 29-04-2026

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Pages: 215 - 219

Views: 6

Downloads: 9

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Author Affiliation:

1 Consultant, Ear, Nose, and Throat, Head and Neck Surgeon, Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Nigeria
2 Senior Registrar, Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Nigeria

Abstract

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a chronic human-papillomavirus associated disease characterized by recurrent benign papillomatous growth in the respiratory tract. Despite its benign histology, it may follow an aggressive clinical course requiring repeated surgical intervention. We report a 8-year-old girl with severe RRP managed over 6 years. Symptoms began in infancy with a weak cry and progressed to persistent hoarseness, noisy breathing, chronic cough, and recurrent episodes of airway obstruction. She underwent her first direct laryngoscopy and clearance biopsy at 2 years and 6 months of age. Since then, she has required 28 surgical procedures, averaging four per year. Two procedures were performed emergently due to airway compromise, and the patient required three postoperative intensive care admissions and one tracheostomy. Histopathology confirmed squamous papilloma without dysplasia or malignant transformation. The disease imposed significant educational, psychological, and financial burdens. This case highlights the aggressive nature of juvenile-onset RRP and the challenges of long-term management, particularly in resource-limited settings.

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