title: Epiglottic cyst incidentally discovered during screening endoscopy: a case report and review of literature.
abstract: From the endoscopists' point of view, although the main focus of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination is the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (usually bulb and 2nd portion including ampulla of Vater), the portions of the upper airway may also be observed during insertion and withdrawal of the endoscope, such as pharynx and larynx. Thus, a variety of pathologic lesions of the upper airway can be encountered during upper endoscopy. Among these lesions, an epiglottic cyst is relatively uncommon. The cyst has no malignant potential and mostly remains asymptomatic in adults. However, if large enough, epiglottic cysts can compromise the airway and can be potentially life-threatening when an emergency endotracheal intubation is needed. Thus, patients may benefit from early detection and treatment of these relatively asymptomatic lesions. In this report, we present a case of epiglottic cyst in an asymptomatic adult incidentally found by family physician during screening endoscopy, which was successfully removed without complication, using a laryngoscopic carbon dioxide laser.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Duck-Joo
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu-Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Bundang Jaesang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Kyu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Bundang Jaesang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Bundang Jaesang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Ah
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Gunpo, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Un
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Gunpo, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Ryul
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Endoscopy; Epiglottic Cyst; Potential of Airway Obstruction