[Vallecular cyst as a rare cause of progressive inspiratory stridor].
BACKGROUND
Vallecular cysts are frequently observed, benign masses of the upper aerodigestiv tract. Usually they appear as harmless and asymptomatic and go unnoticed by the patient. In rare cases, obstructions of the upper airway due to monstrous vallecular cysts may become life threatening.


METHODS
We report on a 69-year-old otherwise healthy woman with a rapidly progressive history of dyspnea caused by a pedicled vallecular cyst. Increasing stridor prompted emergency surgical resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Vallecular cysts that increase in size can cause dyspnea due to obstruction of the aditus of the larynx. This case demonstrates the need for surgical treatment at an early stage of pedicled vallecular cysts.
Beutner
D
D
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten der Universität zu Köln, 50924 Köln. dirk.beutner@uni-koeln.de
Preuss
S F
SF
Quante
G
G
Klussmann
J P
JP
Damm
M
M
Hüttenbrink
K B
KB
D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D018450:Disease Progression; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*