Congenital laryngeal cyst in infancy. A rare cause of life-threatening stridor.

An unusual cause of life-threatening stridor in infancy due to a congenital lateral saccular cyst of the larynx in association with an upper respiratory infection is presented. The literature is reviewed. The histopathogenesis, classification, clinical manifestations, and therapeutical principles of congenital laryngeal cysts are discussed. As almost 50% of the reported cases of congenital laryngeal cysts were diagnosed at autopsy, the gravity and importance of early recognition of these lesions must be stressed to the pediatrician and otolaryngologist.