Hemangioma of base of tongue.

Although vascular malformations of the tongue comprise a significant portion of head and neck angiodysplastic lesions, hemangioma of base of tongue is rare. We report a case of hemangioma of base of tongue extending to the supraglottis, which necessitated an extended supraglottic laryngectomy. Patient had an uneventful recovery and at three year, follow-up has a normal speech and no difficulty in swallowing or aspiration. More importantly, there was no recurrence of hemangioma or bleeding. Although hemangiomas may be treated by various conservative methods, occasionally patient may require surgical excision as in the present case due to the repeated bleeding episode and difficult access. A high index of suspicion and radiological investigations should be performed if the clinical presentation is atypical for malignancy, as in our case.

Epidermotropic cutaneous metastases from hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cutaneous metastases from laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous carcinomas are extremely rare. A high index of clinical suspicion, supplemented with histopathologic evidence, aids in the diagnosis. The prognosis is extremely poor, and treatment is aimed only at palliation of symptoms and improving quality of life.