A huge epiglottic cyst causing airway obstruction in an adult

An epiglottic cyst causing airway obstruction is rare in an adult. Early definitive diagnosis and management obviate an unnecessary tracheostomy. We report a case of a 64-year-old woman who arrived at our hospital with progressive stridor and foreign body sensation when swallowing for 6 weeks. A hot potato voice and biphasic stridor were remarkable upon physical examination. Indirect mirror and fibroscopic examination revealed a huge epiglottic cyst. The neck lateral X-ray and computed tomography scan demonstrated a huge cystic mass over the epiglottis. A 2.5 x 3.0 cm cystic mass was removed with endoscopic CO2 laser after needle decompression. The patient was discharged on the third day after surgery without complications. An epiglottic cyst in an adult seldom causes upper airway obstruction and is easily ignored by clinicians. We emphasize that complete airway evaluation including routine check-up of the larynx is mandatory for patients with intractable obstructive airway disease. Endoscopic laser surgery is effective in the surgical removal of an epiglottic cyst.