Congenital laryngeal cyst: an unusual cause of stridor in the neonate

Abstract

Background: Congenital laryngeal cysts are a rare, but potentially fatal, cause of airway obstruction in infants and children. Most laryngeal cysts are acquired. Here, we describe a congenital laryngeal cyst, its treatment, and its presentation immediately after birth.

Case report: A newborn child developed stridor very shortly after birth, due to a large, congenital saccular cyst. The diagnosis was based on a laryngoscopy and imaging studies, which detected an extralaryngeal extension through the cricothyroid membrane. The cyst was removed with an endoscopic procedure and a CO2-laser. Afterwards, the cyst recurred, but was successfully removed with an external approach.

Conclusion: Clinical manifestations of laryngeal cysts in neonates shortly after birth are rare. Here, we present an interesting clinical case. We also concisely reviewed the literature on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, classification, and therapy for laryngeal cysts.