Successful excision of a large congenital vallecular cyst in a female newborn: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Congenital laryngeal cysts are a rare cause of stridor in infants, and vallecular cysts account for 10.5–20.1% of all congenital laryngeal cysts. Large cysts can lead to airway obstruction and death. Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical treatment relieves symptoms and prevent serious complications. We report a congenital laryngeal cyst on the lingual surface of the epiglottis in a female newborn that was successfully excised without any complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-day-old female newborn presented with stridor, dysphagia and dyspnea that worsened and eventually led to a diagnosis of a large serous cyst on the epiglottis's lingual surface, compressing the entrance to the larynx. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia and the entire cyst was excised using rigid endoscopy. After the surgery, the infant made a quick recovery with no complications or recurrence. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Vallecular cysts are a rare type of laryngeal cysts and an uncommon cause of congenital stridor that requires immediate diagnosis and management to prevent upper airway obstruction and death. Clinical features vary depending on the patient's and cyst's characteristics. Laryngoscope can help in confirming the final diagnosis. Complete excision is a better than aspiration, as it has a lower recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: Vallecular cysts are a life-threatening condition that requires early diagnosis and immediate management to avoid any potential complications. It must be taken into account in the presence of congenital stridor. Marsupialization and excision (extirpation) have equal effectiveness and low recurrence rate, making them definitive surgical treatments for vallecular cysts.