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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 June 2011

J Suzuki ,
S Hashimoto ,
K Watanabe  and
K Takahashi
J Suzuki*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
S Hashimoto
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, National Sendai Medical Center, Sendai, Japan
K Watanabe
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, National Sendai Medical Center, Sendai, Japan
K Takahashi
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Jun Suzuki, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan Fax: +81 22 717 7307 E-mail: j_suzuki1212@hotmail.com
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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.

Keywords

Vallecular CystCystOropharynxInfantRadiologyDiagnosisSurgical Procedures, Operative
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 11 , November 2011 , pp. 1199 - 1203
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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