Laryngeal Candidiasis

A 78-year-old man with diabetes and COPD presented with a 2-month history of dysphonia while using inhaled glucocorticoids daily for the past decade. Laryngoscopy showed white plaques on the vocal cords, and biopsy revealed fungal filaments consistent with candidiasis, confirmed via Grocott-Gomori methenamine silver stain. The diagnosis was laryngeal candidiasis. a condition frequently misattributed to other causes of hoarseness. Predisposing factors include inhaled steroids, diabetes, and immunocompromised states. The patient improved following fluconazole therapy. The case underscores the importance of laryngoscopy in evaluating vocal cord pathology and differentiating candidiasis from malignancy or leukoplakia.

A 78-year-old man with diabetes and COPD presented with a 2-month history of dysphonia while using inhaled glucocorticoids daily for the past decade. Laryngoscopy showed white plaques on the vocal cords, and biopsy revealed fungal filaments consistent with candidiasis, confirmed via Grocott-Gomori methenamine silver stain. The diagnosis was laryngeal candidiasis. a condition frequently misattributed to other causes of hoarseness. Predisposing factors include inhaled steroids, diabetes, and immunocompromised states. The patient improved following fluconazole therapy. The case underscores the importance of laryngoscopy in evaluating vocal cord pathology and differentiating candidiasis from malignancy or leukoplakia.