What Causes a Swollen Epiglottis?

An epiglottic cyst is a cyst that occurs under the epithelium of the epithelium and belongs to a special type of laryngeal cyst. Occurs in the epiglottic valley, epiglottis tongue and epiglottis. Chronic inflammation, mechanical stimulation and trauma often cause obstruction of mucus glandular ducts and retention of glandular secretions. Part of it can also be caused by congenital malformations. Adults are generally asymptomatic or have only slight throat discomfort and foreign body sensations, which are often found during a throat examination. Infants and young children can show difficulty breathing, complexion, etc., and need urgent treatment. The treatment is surgical resection, and conservative medication is usually ineffective. General anesthesia under laryngoscope surgery is recommended. Take cold liquid food 1 to 2 weeks after operation and observe the pharyngeal bleeding closely. It is generally not easy to relapse after surgery.

Basic Information

English name

cyst of epiglottis

Visiting department

ENT

Common locations

Epiglottis

Common causes

Congenital: Developmental deformity; Acquired: Chronic inflammation of the throat, mechanical irritation, and trauma

Common symptoms

A few have throat discomfort and foreign body sensation. Newborns and infants: difficulty breathing or even laryngeal obstruction.

Etiology of epiglottic cyst

The causes are congenital and acquired.

Congenital

Congenital malformations of epiglottis develop small sacs under the mucosa. After birth, as the development grows, the capsular gradually expands. It is full of mucus and gradually forms a cyst, which is a congenital epiglottic cyst.

2. Acquired

Chronic inflammation of the larynx, mechanical stimulation, and trauma cause obstruction of the mucous glands in the epiglottis mucosa, glandular secretions accumulate, and the formation of acquired epiglottic cysts. Common retention cysts and epidermoid cysts. Retention cysts are more common in the epiglottis tongue, and epidermoid cysts are more common in the epiglottis valley.

Clinical manifestations of epiglottic cyst

Generally asymptomatic, often found during a laryngeal examination. A few may have throat discomfort and foreign body sensation.

For newborn babies and infants, congenital epiglottic cysts often grow very large due to the inability to actively express physical discomfort, and they are found to be difficult to breathe or even obstruct the throat.

Epiglottic cyst examination

Indirect laryngoscopy showed that the cyst was located on the tongue surface of the epiglottis, and the larger one filled the entire epiglottis valley. The cyst is hemispherical, with a wide pedicle, a smooth surface, gray, pale yellow, or reddish, with small blood vessels running across it. The capsule wall is usually very thin, and it feels wavy when touched. With a syringe, the thick contents can be sucked out, and the color is milky white or brown. If there is a secondary infection, it is pus.

Epiglottic cyst diagnosis

Because the history and symptoms are not specific, it is difficult to distinguish it from chronic pharyngitis and early pharyngeal tumors. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical examination. Therefore, patients with throat discomfort should go to the hospital regularly for examination.

Epiglottic cyst treatment

For tiny cysts, you can leave them untreated for a while and observe them closely. Larger cysts should be surgically removed. Simple puncture and aspiration will definitely cause relapse. The recommended surgical method is resection under a laryngoscope under general anesthesia. Laser, microwave, and low-temperature plasma can also be used for resection.

Prognosis of epiglottic cyst

Eat cold 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.

Epiglottic cyst prevention

Develop good living habits, ensure adequate sleep time, exercise properly, avoid fatigue and colds, maintain oral hygiene, and quit smoking and alcohol. When there is throat discomfort, regular outpatient examinations and targeted treatment.