ACQUIRED SUBGLOTTIC CYSTS IN INFANCY

Objective: To evaluate the presentation and treatment of infants with acquired subglottic cysts. Design: Case series seen over 12 years. Set ting: Academic tertiary referral pediatric medical center. Patients: E leven patients had subglottic cysts diagnosed. Intervention: Four pati ents were treated with rupture with the tip of the endoscope. Seven pa tients underwent endoscopic marsupialization by means of carbon dioxid e laser (n=5) and by cup forceps (n=2). Outcome Measures: Intraoperati ve cyst control. Symptomatic cyst recurrence. Results: Initial cyst ma nagement was successful in all cases. There was one symptomatic recurr ence in a patient who was managed with cyst rupture. There were no sym ptomatic recurrences in the group treated by marsupialization. The mea n follow-up period was 6 years. Conclusions: Subglottic cysts should b e considered in the ex-premature infant with a history of neonatal int ubation who presents with strider or respiratory difficulty. These duc tal retention cysts can develop after periods of intubation of less th an 24 hours. Endoscopic marsupialization is the recommended form of tr eatment.