Cyst on Epiglottis

Q. I am a  55 years old female from India, a vegetarian.  I had difficulty swallowing and sore throat about 2 months ago.  I had endoscopy done, which revealed congested throat and a cyst on epiglottis.  Same day I had CT scan done.  A cyst 18 by 22 mm was found on CT scan. I was advised intravenous antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics for further 15 days.  This reduced inflammation, but the cyst remained.  Doctor advised surgical removal.  I am worried whether I should go for it or wait for the problem to resolve itself.  Please advise me regarding future course of action.  The cyst is just behind the tongue on the epiglottis.
–By Ramanasri

Reply:

Epiglottis is very sensitive area as far as breathing is concerned. So, an epiglottic cyst is potentially quite serious and may become a life threatening condition, if it somehow gets complicated. So, it does require an early intervention under expert care.

At the same time, the surgical removal is also quite complex and risky procedure. Hence, it requires careful planning after analyzing the full report. If you are concerned, then you may a take second opinion by another expert. And that would require complete physical exam along with analysis of all your reports.

Regards,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Epiglottic Cyst Surgical Removal

  1. M

    I’m 33, up until last year I had a very large goiter which has now gone down with right meds. For 3 years, I felt like I have phlegm in back of throat. My voice goes raspy. I keep getting sore throats, when I sing, I struggle with breath and then have a husky voice for days. I’ve always been told this feeling was caused my goiter.

    I had a gromit fitted in Feb due to fluid in ears, I saw consultant 2 days ago for a check up and said about my symptoms. He looked through nose with a camera, and said I have a cyst on my epiglottis, which needs removing? Should I be worried?
    I don’t know size or anything to do with op or risks?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      No, this is not very serious.

      The cyst does require removal. If not removed, if may get infected and complicate even more. It may also grow in size to cause breathing problems.

      Usually, a course of antibiotics is given. Some cysts may regress in size by these medication.

      Most of the small cysts are removed via laser surgery. A bigger cyst may require excision.

      Surgical procedures in this area need to be done very skillfully. There are risks involved, as this area is very sensitive.

      You need to talk to your doctor about the risks of surgical removal and any chances of recurrence of the cyst.

      Reply
  2. James Khamis lino

    Am 35, experiencing throat problem. When I visited a doctor he told me after scan, that I have a small cyst on the base of the tongue. Now can I go for surgery or medication only?

    Reply
  3. James Khamis lino

    Am suffering from cysts, I visited a radiologist when he Scaned me he told there is small cyst on the base of the tongue. Pliz can I go for surgery or medications only?

    Reply
  4. Anonymous

    I am 30 yrs old. Exactly one week ago I had the cyst from the back of my tongue removed.
    I was diagnosed of paraglottic cyst three months ago.
    First i thought it was only a sore throat, and that after I went to the doctor, I will get the antibiotics and be healed a week later.
    Little did I know, when my doctor did an endoscopy on my throat. He saw a cyst. Puss was flowing out if it since it it infected.
    I medicated for one week. It still didnt go away.
    He put my dosaged higher for the puss to go away.
    Still nothing happened after a week.
    I was adviced for operation.
    I first decided on to natural healing. By using garlic and moringa.
    Two weeks after, i went for another check with another doctor.
    He still found my cyst but could not find any puss.
    I was still advice for operation.
    Today, I am recovering from the surgery.
    I have a question, since I can still feel the wound. It this normal? It has only been one week though.

    Reply

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