Title: Vallecular cyst in infant: An Anaesthetic Challenge
Authors: Dr Usha Kumari Chaudhary, Dr Ankita Chandel, Dr Manuj Kumar, Dr Sudesh Negi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i10.23
Abstract
Introduction
Vallecular cyst is an uncommon but well-recognized cause of upper airway obstruction in newborns and infants.1Stridor with or without respiratory distress is the most common presentation secondary to narrowing of the upper airway.2 Although benign in nature, it may cause severe airway obstruction and even death thus poses an anaesthetic challenge, especially when pediatric airway is already a challenging task.3
Case report
A 2 months old male infant weighing 4 kg, presented with stridor, recurrent pneumonia, noisy breathing and regurgitation since birth. Contrast enhanced CT showed a mass of size 1.7x1.5x1.4 cm at base of the tonge. (Figure 1) It was compressing the laryngeal pathway against oropharyngeal region. (Figure 2) A diagnosis of vallecular cyst was made and patient was planned for decompression and marsupialization of the cyst under general anaesthesia.
