Endoscopic Removal of a Cervical Esophageal Duplication Cyst

Abstract

A 6‐month‐old female presented for 2 months of noisy breathing. Flexible laryngoscopy showed limited bilateral vocal fold abduction. Computed tomography revealed a non‐enhancing 3.6 × 2.3 × 3.5 cystic prevertebral mass spanning C2‐T. Using an endoscopic approach, the overlying mucosa was incised, and the cyst was freed and fully excised from the surrounding mucosa with blunt microlaryngeal instruments without complication. Three months postoperatively she had no respiratory issues and was eating well. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed bilateral vocal fold mobility. We propose that endoscopic removal of a cervical esophageal duplication cyst in selected cases is an alternative to open excision. Laryngoscope, 130:2053–2055, 2020

What is this bump in my neck? Ultrasonographic evaluation of pediatric neck masses

“…Patients usually present with painless lateral neck mass or with a painful lateral neck mass if superimposed infection happens (Figure 2C). Differential diagnosis of the second branchial cleft cyst includes necrotic lymph node, abscess, lymphatic malformation, cervical thymic cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst, and cystic schwannomas 4,10–12 …”

“…Duplication cysts of the gastrointestinal tract are rare and most commonly occurs in the ileum followed by the esophagus 10 . Large cervical esophageal duplication cysts typically present with difficulty swallowing and respiratory distress in infants and neonates but smaller ones are more likely to present as asymptomatic palpable neck masses or as incidental findings on imaging 11 . On US, they present as cystic structures near esophagus with mass effect on adjacent structures (Figure 5).…”

“…Differential diagnosis of the second branchial cleft cyst includes necrotic lymph node, abscess, lymphatic malformation, cervical thymic cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst, and cystic schwannomas. 4,[10][11][12] Third and fourth branchial cleft anomalies are rare and theoretically arise from pyriform sinus malformations. The pyriform sinuses are inverted cone shaped spaces in lateral sides of the larynx.…”