Factors Related to Extralaryngeal Spread in Juvenile Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

HPV-Associated Benign Squamous Cell Papillomas in the Upper Aero-Digestive Tract and Their Malignant Potential

Squamous cell papilloma (SCP) in the upper aero-digestive tract is a rare disease entity with bimodal age presentation both at childhood and in adults. It originates from stratified squamous and/or respiratory epithelium. Traditionally, SCPs have been linked to chemical or mechanical irritation but, since the 1980s, they have also been associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Approximately 30% of the head and neck SCPs are associated with HPV infection, with this association being highest for laryngeal papillomas (76–94%), followed by oral (27–48%), sinonasal (25–40%), and oropharyngeal papillomas (6–7%). There is, however, a wide variation in HPV prevalence, the highest being in esophageal SCPs (11–57%). HPV6 and HPV11 are the two main HPV genotypes present, but these are also high-risk HPVs as they are infrequently detected. Some 20% of the oral and oropharyngeal papillomas also contain cutaneous HPV genotypes. Despite their benign morphology, some SCPs tend to recur and even undergo malignant transformation. The highest malignant potential is associated with sinonasal inverted papillomas (7–11%). This review discusses the evidence regarding HPV etiology of benign SCPs in the upper aero-digestive tract and their HPV-related malignant transformation. In addition, studies on HPV exposure at an early age are discussed, as are the animal models shedding light on HPV transmission, viral latency, and its reactivation.

The Impact of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux on Occurrence and Clinical Course of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been proposed both as a trigger for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) onset and as a factor favoring an aggressive clinical course.

STUDY DESIGN

In this prospective study, 106 participants were recruited within a period of 24 months at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana.

METHODS

This study compared a group of RRP patients (N = 36) with a group of LPR patients (N = 28) and a group of healthy participants (N = 42) based on Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Scores (RFS), and saliva analyses (pH, pepsin concentration, bile acid concentration, and pepsin enzymatic activity).

RESULTS

The RRP group compared to the LPR group showed a statistically significant difference only in RSI and RFS scores, while the RRP group compared to healthy controls showed significantly higher values in all tested parameters (RSI score, RFS, saliva pH, pepsin concentration, bile acids concentration, pepsin enzymatic activity).

CONCLUSIONS

LPR is common in RRP patients and significantly more prevalent compared to healthy controls. Our results show that saliva analyses are a better office-based tool than RSI questionnaires and RFS scores for diagnosing LPR in RRP patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2021.