Abstract
Vallecular cyst is a rare cause of stridor in neonates, which may present as a life threatening airway obstruction. Here, we report a preterm infant with a congenital vallecular cyst who presented with stridor and respiratory distress that developed immediately after birth. She was successfully treated with endoscopic marsupialization.
Highlights
A female infant, weighing 2020 grams born to a healthy 35-year-old mother at 33 weeks of gestation, was referred because of stridor and respiratory distress developed immediately after birth
On day 3, a diagnostic direct laryngoscopy was performed initially, which confirmed a cystic mass in the vallecula; endoscopic marsupialization of the cyst was done (Fig. 2, 3)
Vallecular cyst is thought to occur as a consequence of either ductal obstruction of mucous glands or an embryologic malformation and presents as inspiratory stridor, respiratory distress, apnea, cyanosis and hoarse cry [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
Summary
A female infant, weighing 2020 grams born to a healthy 35-year-old mother at 33 weeks of gestation, was referred because of stridor and respiratory distress developed immediately after birth. A laryngeal cystic mass at the base of the tongue was noted. A flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy was performed by the otorhinolaryngologist, which showed a cystic mass arising from laryngeal and lingual mucosa of left epiglottis and obliterating pyriform sinus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed a 21x25x18 mm uniloculated cystic mass located behind the tongue; it filled the oropharynx and extended up to the epiglottis (Fig. 1).
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