Congenital vallecular cyst causing severe inspiratory stridor in a newborn

Abstract

Vallecular cyst is a rare but observed cause of neonatal stridor that can present with respiratory distress and feeding difficulties arising from upper airway obstruction. Stridor in neonates is usually congenital in nature and most often caused by laryngomalacia. We present a case of vallecular cyst in a term newborn infant with persistent inspiratory stridor that was diagnosed by direct laryngoscopy and underwent successful treatment by marsupialization with complete resolution of the stridor. This case highlights the importance of a thorough interdisciplinary evaluation of persistent neonatal stridor paving the way to early diagnosis and intervention to avoid critical airway obstruction and potentially fatal outcomes. • Vallecular cyst is an uncommon cause of neonatal stridor. • Early evaluation of stridor facilitates intervention to avoid critical airway obstruction. • Diagnosis of vallecular cyst is made by direct laryngoscopy. • Marsupialization via coblation remains as the treatment of choice for vallecular cyst.