A case of congenital vallecular cyst associated with gastroesophageal reflux presenting with stridor, feeding cyanosis, and failure to thrive.
10.3345/kjp.2008.51.7.775
- Author:
Mi Ae YANG
1
;
Min Jae KANG
;
Jeana HONG
;
Seung Han SHIN
;
Sang Duk KIM
;
Ee Kyung KIM
;
Han Suk KIM
;
Jung Hwan CHOI
;
Tack Kyun KWON
;
In One KIM
Author Information
1. Departments of Pediatrics, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Vallecular cyst;
Gastroesophageal reflux;
Failure to thrive;
Feeding cyanosis;
Inspiratory stridor;
Marsupialization
- MeSH:
Airway Obstruction;
Body Weight;
Cyanosis;
Failure to Thrive;
Gastroesophageal Reflux;
Hoarseness;
Humans;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Laryngomalacia;
Laryngoscopy;
Lasers, Gas;
Male;
Recurrence;
Respiratory Sounds;
Thorax;
Tongue
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2008;51(7):775-779
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Vallecular cyst is an uncommon but potentially dangerous condition causing stridor and has been associated with sudden airway obstruction resulting in death due to its anatomical location in neonates. It may also present with various degrees of feeding problems resulting in failure to thrive. When a vallecular cyst is suspected clinically, endoscopic laryngoscopy is necessary to visualize it. Other conditions leading to neonatal stridor such as laryngomalacia and other laryngotracheal abnormalities should be ruled out. Marsupialization with a CO2 laser is the most effective and safest treatment to prevent recurrence. We report a case of a 1-month-old male infant with a vallecular cyst synchronous with gastroesophageal reflux, and failure to thrive. He was referred to our hospital because of hoarseness, inspiratory stridor, feeding-cyanosis, chest retraction and failure to thrive. Diagnostic workup revealed a cyst at the tongue base, suggesting a vallecular cyst. The cyst was removed by laryngomicrosurgery with CO2 laser. After the surgery, the symptoms improved and the body weight increased steadily. We report a successfully treated case of neonatal vallecular cyst with symptoms of upper respiratory obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, and failure to thrive.
