An unusual case of combined laryngocele presenting as cervical swelling

Abstract

Laryngocele is a sac-like, pathological enlargement of the Morgagni's ventricle, which occurs between the true and false vocal cords. This change is filled with air and is continuous with the lumen of the larynx. It is usually asymptomatic and is accidentally detected during radiological diagnostics. We present the case of a 54-year-old patient who came for examination due to a painless swelling in her neck on the left side, which lasted for 8 months and increased upon Valsalva's maneuver. Occasionally the patient was hoarse. By clinical otorhinolaryngological examination and computed tomography of the neck and larynx, we found a cystic formation, filled with air, which extended above the larynx and spread to the side of the neck.The laryngocele was surgically removed using an external cervical approach. The neck of the laryngocele is sent through the thyroid membrane, while preserving the upper laryngeal nerve and the accompanying vascular stalk. Pathohistological examination revealed that the laryngocele consisted of respiratory layered cylindrical epithelium. Laryngocele should be taken into account in differential diagnosis of neck swelling.