Laryngeal Papillomatosis with Human Papillomavirus DNA Contracted by a Laser Surgeon

Introduction

The possibility that laser surgeons might inhale virus particles from laser vapor during the removal of certain lesions has been pointed out by several authors.^1,2,3 Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered to be the most important potential agent for transmission from patient to surgeon through smoke plume from lasers.

Case Report

A 44 year-old male laser surgeon consulted the Department of Otorhinolaryngology because of hoarseness of 6 months' duration. He did not smoke and used no medicines. Over a 3 year period he had performed several therapeutic procedures with a laser, the lesions primarily involving 55 cancers in the distal colon and rectum, but also 5 patients with anogenital condyloma acuminate. The hospital possessed no laser smoke evacuator system except for the built-in suction in the endoscope used for treatment of intraluminal cancers. Laryngoscopy of the patient revealed large, confluent papillomatous masses in the anterior laryngeal commissure and along most of the right vocal cord (Image below). Four smaller, discrete, smooth papillomas were situated along the cranial and medial surfaces of the left cord. Biopsies of the laryngeal lesions showed squamous papillomas with moderate focal dysplasia.

Discussion

In general, lesions are most often seen on the vocal folds, although the rest of the respiratory tract as well as the pharynx and oral cavity may be affected. The cause of respiratory papillomatosis remains unknown, although strong evidence supports a viral theory. The usual incubation time for developing condylomas is from 1 month to several months.⁴ Intact HPV has been demonstrated in the CO2 laser plume from plantar or mosaic warts and anogenital condylomas.^1,2,5,6 Like other authors, the authors of this study believe that a well-functioning laser smoke evacuator device adjacent to the operating field is of greatest importance to the laser team. Equipment which provides optimal protection against inadvertent contamination should therefore be obligatory for every laser team.

References

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2. Garden JM, O'Banion MK, Shelnitz LS, Pinski KS, Bakus AD, Reichmann ME, Sundberg JP (1988) Papillomavirus in the vapor of carbon dioxide laser-treated verrucae. JAMA 259 : 1199-1202
3. Sawchuk WS, Weber PJ, Lowy DR, Dzubow LM (1989) Infectious papillomavirus in the vapor of warts treated with carbon dioxide laseror electrocoagulation: detection and protection. J Am Acad Dermatol 21 : 41-49
4. Noble RC (1982) Sexually transmitted diseases. Guide to diagnosis and therapy. Medical Examination Publishing Co., Garden City, NY,pp 80-87
5. Sawchuk WS, Felten RP ( 1989) Infectious potential of aerosolized particles (editorial). Arch Dermatol 125 : 1689-1692
6. Ferenczy A, Bergeron C, Richart RM ( 1990) Human papillomavirus DNA in CO2 laser-generated plume of smoke and its consequences tothe surgeon. Obstet Gynecol 75 : 114-118