A tracheal duplication cyst in an adult: Is it time to call the pediatric surgeon?

• Main Authors: Alexander, K. (Author), Choi, S. (Author), Robinson, J.R (Author), Servin-Rojas, M. (Author), Zendejas, B. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc. 2022
• Subjects: abnormal sensation; adult; Article; case report; chronic pain; clinical article; computer assisted tomography; Congenital malformation; contrast medium; diagnostic accuracy; direct laryngoscopy; dysphagia; emergency ward; esophagus cyst; female; flexible laryngoscopy; Foregut duplication cyst; health care planning; hospital discharge; human; human tissue; hyaline cartilage; intraoperative monitoring; left subclavian artery; lung cyst; lung sequestration; medical history; neck cyst; neck dissection; neck pain; neuromonitoring; pediatric surgeon; pyriform sinus; recurrent laryngeal nerve; Recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring; sore throat; surgical infection; thorax pain; throat tightness; trachea disease; tracheal duplication cyst; Tracheal duplication cyst; vascular ring; Vascular ring; video assisted thoracoscopic surgery; vocal cord paralysis
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher
• ISBN: 22135766 (ISSN)
• DOI: 10.1016/j.epsc.2021.102147

Tracheal duplication cysts are extremely uncommon, with only a few cases reported in the literature. In some cases, symptoms are ambiguous or absent, making the diagnosis challenging. Due to its rarity, there are no formal guidelines on the management of this congenital malformation. We present the case of a 31-year-old female with chronic neck and chest symptoms secondary to a tracheal duplication cyst that had undergone two prior attempts at resection with persistence of symptoms. Multidisciplinary management by pediatric surgical specialists, careful surgical planning, and neck dissection with recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring allowed for an accurate diagnosis, safe surgery, and relief of symptoms. © 2021