Congenital vallecular cyst in an infant: Case report and review of 52 recent cases

J. Suzuki, S. Hashimoto, K. Watanabe, K. Takahashi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Vallecular cyst is uncommon in infants. We treated a female infant with vallecular cyst, and curious magnetic resonance imaging findings. We also review 51 other cases of vallecular cyst in infants reported over the past 23 years.Case report: A three-month-old female infant presented with congenital inspiratory stridor and failure to thrive. Flexible laryngoscopy and ultrasonography revealed a cystic mass in the vallecula. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were initially curious because of artefacts from breathing and swallowing. Marsupialisation of the cyst was performed. Post-operatively, the patient was immediately free of symptoms.Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging presents various difficulties in infants, but has the best diagnostic effectiveness. We recommend the use of magnetic resonance imaging, flexible fibroscopy and ultrasonography to enable extensive examination of suspected vallecular cysts in infants. Marsupialisation has a recurrence rate of only one in 39 cases, and its safety and effectiveness are well balanced. Thus, prompt marsupialisation of vallecular cyst is the recommended surgical procedure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1199-1203
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Laryngology and Otology
Volume125
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Nov

Keywords

  • Cyst
  • Diagnosis
  • Infant
  • Oropharynx
  • Radiology
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative
  • Vallecular Cyst

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