Is laryngocele life threatening?

In rare cases, the internal part of the laryngocele may cause rapid and complete airway obstruction with potentially fatal consequences. Although the incidence of internal laryngoceles is relatively rare, physicians should include this condition in the differential diagnosis of upper airway problems.

Is a laryngocele cancerous?

Laryngocele may sometimes be the source of laryngeal cancers (3). These cancers can be particularly serious due to the deep invasion in the paraglottic space. In 1987, Birt reported that the ventricles in patients operated on for laryngeal cancer were significantly deeper than those with a normal larynx (12).

How common is a laryngocele?

Laryngoceles are rare (1 in 2.5 million), develop in men more often than in women, appear across all ages, and are divided clinically into internal (expansion into the false vocal fold) and external (extension through the thyrohyoid membrane into the soft tissues of the neck).

What causes a laryngocele?

Laryngoceles are uncommon congenital anomalies of the supraglottic larynx. They form as a result of air or fluid filled dilations of the laryngeal ventricle, which communicate with the laryngeal lumen.

How is laryngocele diagnosed?

The diagnosis of laryngocele is based on clinical findings, endoscopic examination of the larynx, and imaging studies. Symptoms may vary according to the type of laryngocele. The internal laryngoceles may cause hoarseness, snoring, or even upper airway obstruction.

Is laryngocele congenital?

A laryngocele is a congenital anomalous air sac communicating with the cavity of the larynx, which may bulge outward on the neck.

What is laryngocele?

Introduction. A laryngocele is an abnormal dilation of the laryngeal saccule that extends upward within the false vocal fold, is filled with air, and is in communication with the laryngeal lumen [1, 2].

What does laryngocele mean?

Where is the Aryepiglottic fold?

The aryepiglottic folds extend between the arytenoid cartilage and the lateral margin of the epiglottis on each side and constitute the lateral borders of the laryngeal inlet. They are involved in physiologic closure mechanisms of the larynx and in pathologic conditions such as inspiratory stridor.

How many larynx do we have?

The laryngeal skeleton is nine cartilages: the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, epiglottis, arytenoid cartilages, corniculate cartilages, and cuneiform cartilages. The first three are unpaired cartilages, and the latter three are paired cartilages.

What do aryepiglottic folds do?

The aryepiglottic folds are two ligamentomuscular structures within the supraglottic larynx that function to protect the airway when swallowing.

What is the role of the aryepiglottic fold?

What kind of surgery is used to remove laryngoceles?

Internal laryngoceles can be removed through endoscopy. External and combined internal and external laryngoceles can be managed through an open approach. Various kinds of surgical approaches have been opted for in the treatment of different types of Laryngoceles.

Which is the best nasal spray for laryngoceles?

Oxymetazoline HCL nasal spray, 0.05% (for hemostasis on 1/2 in x 1/2 in neuropatties). 4% cocaine can also be used for topical hemostasis. Kenalog 40 mixed 1:3 with 1% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephine (final dilution: Kenalog 10) for granuloma injections.

Are there any bilateral cases of laryngoceles?

The communication with the laryngeal ventricle is not always identified, and an extra laryngeal extension through the thyrohyoid membrane may or may not be present. Almost all laryngoceles are unilateral, only eight bilateral cases have been reported in the medical literature.

How are laryngoceles and saccular cysts treated?

External laryngoceles and combined internal and external laryngoceles are often managed through an open approach. In both approaches the patient is supine. All procedures, both open and endoscopic, typically begin with upper airway endoscopy to evaluate the lesion completely.