Mucus retention cyst and reflux disease

Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, Nov, 2005 by Mary Es Beaver, C. Richard Stasney, Margarita Rodriguez

A 45-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of severe hoarseness that interfered with her work as a nurse. She had a long history of throat clearing and reflux. Videostroboscopy revealed the presence of a large mucus retention cyst of the right vocal fold, as well as interarytenoid and subglottic edema secondary to her reflux (figure). She was treated with a proton-pump inhibitor for 1 month, and then the cyst was excised. Postoperatively, her voice was much improved, and she continued with her reflux treatment.

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Mary Es Beaver, MD; C. Richard Stasney, MD; Margarita Rodriguez, MD

From the Anderson Center for Voice and Swallowing (Dr. Beaver) and the Texas Voice Center (Dr. Stasney and Dr. Rodriguez), Houston.