Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

**Definition:** Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a rare respiratory disease characterised by the development of exophytic papillomas, affecting the mucosa of the upper aero-digestive tract (with a strong predilection for the larynx), caused by an infection with human papilloma virus. Symptoms at presentation may include hoarseness, chronic cough, dyspnoea, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, dysphagia, stridor, and/or failure to thrive.