Can an epiglottic cyst go away on its own?

Epiglottic cyst is a type of throat cyst, which is related to food scratches. Sometimes it will become smaller, but it will not disappear. If there are no symptoms, it generally does not require treatment and can be followed up in time. However, if it is relatively large, it may have a greater impact on the patient's daily life and work. It can be removed through surgery. In daily life, you must pay attention to oral hygiene and chew slowly when eating.

Causes

The causes of the disease are congenital and acquired.

1. Congenital

The epiglottis is congenitally malformed, and a small cyst is formed under the mucosa. After birth, the sac gradually expands as the baby develops. It is filled with mucus and gradually forms a cyst, which is a congenital epiglottic cyst.

2. Acquired

Chronic laryngeal inflammation, mechanical stimulation and trauma cause obstruction of the mucous glands in the epiglottic mucosa and accumulation of glandular secretions, thus forming an acquired epiglottic cyst. Common ones include retention cysts and epidermoid cysts. Retention cysts are more common on the lingual surface of the epiglottis, and epidermoid cysts are more common in the epiglottic vallecula.

treat

For tiny cysts, no treatment is needed for the time being and close observation is sufficient. Larger cysts should be removed surgically. Simple puncture and aspiration will inevitably lead to recurrence. The recommended surgical method is to perform resection under general anesthesia with supported laryngoscopy. Resection can also be performed using laser, microwave, low-temperature plasma, etc.

Prognosis

Eat cold liquid or semi-liquid food within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. If there is obvious bleeding, go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. It is generally not easy to relapse after surgery.

examine

Indirect laryngoscopy showed that the cyst was located on the lingual surface of the epiglottis, and the larger ones filled the entire epiglottic valley. The cyst is hemispherical, with a wide pedicle and a smooth surface that is grayish white, light yellow or light red, with tiny blood vessels running across it. The cyst wall is generally very thin and feels wavy to the touch. The viscous contents, which are milky white or brown in color, can be sucked out with a syringe. If there is secondary infection, it will be pus.

diagnosis

Because the medical history and symptoms are non-specific, it is difficult to distinguish it from chronic pharyngitis and early pharyngeal tumors, and the diagnosis mainly relies on clinical examination. Therefore, patients with throat discomfort should go to the hospital for regular check-ups.

Epiglottic cyst is a cyst that occurs under the epiglottal mucosa and is a special type of laryngeal cyst. It often occurs in the epiglottic valley, lingual surface of the epiglottis and free edge of the epiglottis. It is often caused by chronic inflammation, mechanical stimulation and trauma, which leads to obstruction of the mucous gland ducts and retention of glandular secretions. Some of them may also be caused by congenital developmental malformations.

Adults generally have no symptoms or only have mild throat discomfort and foreign body sensation, which are often discovered during throat examination. Infants and young children may show symptoms such as difficulty breathing and cyanosis of the face, which require emergency treatment. The treatment is surgical resection; conservative drug treatment is usually ineffective. It is recommended to use general anesthesia supported laryngoscopy. Eat cold liquid food 1 to 2 weeks after surgery and closely observe pharyngeal bleeding. It is generally not easy to relapse after surgery.