Adenotonsillar kaposi sarcoma with severe upper airway obstruction in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related disseminated disease – A case report and literature review

Abstract

Reported cases of upper airway obstruction (UAO) due to obstructive adenotonsillar Kaposi sarcoma (KS) are rare in our environment. We report a 29-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive female Nigerian who had defaulted treatment for 6 years but represented with disseminated KS and features of severe UAO that necessitated emergency tracheostomy and adenotonsillectomy. She had remarkable improvement in her breathing, feeding, and speech while being in a stable and satisfactory clinical state postoperatively until 3 days later. She suddenly deteriorated and died. Histology report of the adenoid and tonsillar tissues revealed features in keeping with KS (nodular stage). Lack of compliance with antiretroviral therapy and default from care could have facilitated the development of an aggressive KS and the rare presentation. Adherence to the management protocol of HIV infection would bring about early detection of KS, which can be promptly managed with a possible favorable outcome, thereby preventing or reducing dissemination.