Bilateral Vallecular Cysts as a Cause of Dysphagia: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Cysts of the vallecula are rare, accounting for 10.5% to 20.1% of all laryngeal cysts. Vallecular cysts may present with diverse symptoms affecting the voice, airway, and swallowing. We describe the evaluation and treatment of a 70-year-old woman who presented with dysphagia caused by large bilateral vallecular cysts.

Vallecular Cysts in Adult Population: Ten Year Experience

“…1 Of the laryngeal cyst, vallecular cysts accounts for 10.5% to 20.1% of all laryngeal cysts. 2 The most common location of epiglottic cyst is lingual surface of the epiglottis. DeSanto et al reviewed 238 cases of laryngeal cysts over a period of 10 years and found that 134 (52%) were arising from the epiglottis 3 .…”

Difficult intubation in a patient with vallecular cyst

“…(7,9) The most common form of laryngeal cysts is the ductal cyst, which frequently presents at the true vocal fold, followed by the epiglottis and vallecula. (6) Clinically, there is a bimodal distribution in the age of presentation, thus suggesting two forms of vallecular cysts -adult and paediatric. (6,10) While vallecular cysts in children are rare, there is a higher prevalence in neonates and infants.…”

“…(6) Clinically, there is a bimodal distribution in the age of presentation, thus suggesting two forms of vallecular cysts -adult and paediatric. (6,10) While vallecular cysts in children are rare, there is a higher prevalence in neonates and infants. (5,11) There are also reports of cysts detected during the antenatal period via sonography and magnetic resonance imaging.…”

“…(5,12,15) Vallecular cysts in adults are even rarer, with the peak incidence in the fifth decade and occurring more frequently in men. (2,6,8,9) While these patients may present with globus, voice changes, dysphagia, odynophagia, stridor and dyspnoea, the majority are asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed on routine laryngeal examination. (6,9) Symptoms may manifest after the vallecular cyst has become infected and an abscess has formed.…”

A Vallecular Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Presenting with Persistent Unexplained Cough in a Toddler

“…Cysts involving the vallecular regions are uncommon lesions and represent 10.5% to 20.1% of all laryngeal cysts [1]. Vallecular cysts (VC) are rare lesions mostly encountered in the pediatric age group and usually present within the first few weeks of life [2,3].…”