Early-onset respiratory distress in a child

Abstract

A stridulous child with failure to thrive needs to be evaluated and emergent management is required to reduce the morbidity and mortality. The reasons for stridor in early childhood are usually due to laryngomalacia. Laryngeal cyst can pose a potential risk and challenge in management, especially in children. Laryngeal cysts have been described to occur in the glottis, laryngeal pouch, epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and subglottic areas. Clinical features of the laryngeal cyst depend on the size and localization of the cyst. They may present with voice change, hoarseness, dysphagia, laryngeal stridor, and dyspnea. Prompt diagnosis and early management can prevent major respiratory compromise. This case reports a 6-month old infant who was referred to us with stridor and failure to thrive since birth. The child was evaluated and a diagnosis of aryepiglottic fold cyst was made and treated surgically. The management protocol and available literature are reviewed and discussed.