Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP)
Laryngeal Papillomas (LP)
Introduction
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis is defined as growth of numerous warty growths in the larynx on the vocal cords in children and young adults (MedicineNet.com); growths can occur on the larynx and trachea and other respiratory mucosa.
RRP is most commonly observed in children, but also occurs in adults.
Adult lesions appear to be similar in adults and children, however, children often require multiple surgical procedures while adults usually require only a few procedures (surgical excision) for a cure.
RRP is a viral disease characterized by recurrent proliferations of benign squamous papillomas within the respiratory tract (Grand Round Archives at Baylor).
While RRP is considered to be rare in children, it is considered to be one of the most common causes of hoarseness and airway obstruction in children (McClay, 2004).
RRP is divided into 2 subcategories:
Childhood-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (CORRP)
and
Adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (AORRP)
Many studies indicate that CORRP occurs during the exposure of a child's upper aerodigestive tract to the cervix and vagina of a mother with genital HPV infection during normal delivery (McClay, 2004).
Mode of transmission in AORRP is thought to occur through oroanal or orogenital contact rather than as a result of a latent virus becoming active (McClay, 2004).
Below is a picture of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis from :
http://emedicine.com/asp/image_search.asp?query=Recurrent%20Respiratory%20Papillomatosis
