Laryngeal melanosis: a case report and review of the literature.

We present a case with laryngeal melanosis and discuss the clinical significance of this condition. A 58-year-old male patient was referred to the otolaryngology department with a 2-month history of hoarseness. He had a history of smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 40 years. Videolaryngosgopic examination showed chronic laryngitis findings with multifocal pigmented pachydermic areas. Multiple biopsies were performed by laryngomicrosurgery. Pathological examination revealed laryngeal melanosis. As the number is not much enough, the association of laryngeal melanosis and carcinogenesis seems to be controversial. In the point of management, we have to be aware of the risks of laryngeal melanosis, such as developing neoplasm, and monitor the patients closely by periodical examinations and biopsies and advise the patients to stop smoking.