Case report: Laryngeal oncocytic cyst found during a screening for upper aerodigestive tract cancer

Oncocytic cysts are benign lesions seldom found in the region of the larynx. The phenomenon leading to their appearance is currently not well known but could be linked with aging and smoking. This article describes the case of a patient in whom a laryngeal oncocytic cyst was found.

A 52-year-old man presented during a screening for upper aerodigestive tract cancer with a lesion on the anterior third of the left vocal cord. He reported no symptoms but had tobacco use. Other medical history was unremarkable. Laryngoscopy revealed a cyst arising from the left vocal cord. It was excised with CO₂ laser and measured 0,3 × 0,2 × 0,1 cm. Histopathology revealed that the cyst was composed of oncocytic cells lining the epithelium, with eosinophilic and granular aspect in the cytoplasm, with a small and dark nucleus. Thus far, there is no sign of recurrence with this patient.

Laryngeal oncocytic cysts are unusual lesions which can appear with different types of symptoms or with no symptoms. They are formed with oncocytes, with eosinophilic cytoplasm and dark nuclei. Oncocytic cysts have generally no recurrence, but follow-up care is required for mechanisms of such lesions are not well known. Metaplasia in this type of lesions would be caused by physiological exhaustion and inflammation.

A patient presented with an oncocytic cyst fortuitously discovered and underwent CO₂ laser to remove it. The causes may have been smoking and aging, but it remains a rare and atypical case.