We report herein on three cases of laryngeal saccular cyst with a review of the relevant literature. All three patients were female. Two were 68 years old, and the third was 78. Their chief complaint was hoarseness. Laryngoscopic findings revealed submucosal swelling protruding into the laryngeal ventricle in the anterior position. Endoscopic resections were performed and the cysts were pathologically diagnosed as laryngeal saccular cysts. The patients remained recurrence-free at follow-up.
The laryngeal saccular cyst was described by De Santo and these lesions are mainly classified as the anterior or lateral type. In Japan, laryngeal saccular cysts are relatively rare, and only 28 cases have been reported (19 were the lateral type, 2 were unknown and 7 were the anterior type, as were the cases in the present study). Previous reports have recommended complete removal for both types. In addition, the endoscopic approach is recommended for cysts under 30 mm in diameter that remain in the larynx.
In cases of laryngeal cyst, we should consider the possibility of a saccular cyst and complete removal should be performed except in cases of an occluded airway. In addition, the endoscopic approach should be considered depending on the size and the locus of the lesion to reduce the invasiveness of the operation.
