A vallecular cyst is a mucus-containing cyst in the vallecula. Such cysts are relatively common. Vallecular cysts are almost always asymptomatic and found during examination for another issue, such as a voice problem.
Photos of vallecular cyst:
Vallecular cysts (1 of 2)
Panoramic view of the laryngopharynx, showing two vallecular cysts (arrows), between the base of the tongue and epiglottis.
Vallecular cyst (1 of 4)
Enormous vallecular cyst in this young woman. Swallowing of solids is affected. Food seems to catch and then expectorate back up to the mouth. No problem with liquids.
Evaluation of function (2 of 4)
Palate, pharynx, and larynx function are all normal. There is no pooling of saliva in the hypopharynx.
Applesauce residue (3 of 4)
An organized ring of applesauce remains after trying to swallow blue-stained applesauce.
Vallecular cyst (1 of 8)
A large vallecular cyst in an older man with awareness of a “foreign body” sensation when swallowing.
Beginning swallow (2 of 8)
As a swallow begins, note the posterior pressure on the epiglottis and lateral pressure on the pharyngeal wall. Normally we leave these alone, but with careful discussion he wanted to be rid of this to see if it would diminish his symptoms.
Laser coagulation (3 of 8)
With the patient sitting in a chair under only topical anesthesia, office laser coagulation begins with a wide area.
Cyst wall (4 of 8)
Coagulation now involves the full thickness of the cyst wall. When it sloughs off, the cyst will be widely unroofed.
Concluding coagulation (6 of 8)
At the conclusion of the procedure the cyst has evacuated its contents and collapsed in size. The coagulated surface will detach over the next week or two.
3 weeks later (7 of 8)
Three weeks later, the vallecula is normal and the patient says symptoms are reduced “50%.”