Acquired subglottic cysts in preterm infants

Objectives: Acquired subglottic cysts (SGCs) are a recognized complication of intubation in preterm infants. A brief window of our experience is reviewed to determine the demographics and outcomes of therapy. Design: A retrospective review encompassing patients diagnosed and treated from 2001 to 2002 inclusively. Setting/Methods: A case series of 11 patients evaluated at a tertiary care pediatric institution over a 2-year period is presented. Results: Eleven patients evaluated for symptoms of severe airway distress were diagnosed with SGC by microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. All had a history of prematurity with intubation in the perinatal period. All but one became symptomatic many months following intubation. Two patients presented for assessment with tracheotomies, whereas a third received a tracheotomy during therapy owing to a large obstructive bilateral SGC. Large unilateral SGCs were the most common finding on endoscopy. Treatment consisted of cyst marsupialization or direct excision on laryngotracheoplasty. Twenty-six procedures were performed. Four patients required single procedures for complete resolution of symptoms. Two patients had staged procedures with the use of endoscopic diathermy. An element of subglottic stenosis was present in 10 of the 11 patients; however, only 3 patients required laryngotracheoplasty for definitive treatment. Conclusion: SGCs are associated with intubation in premature infants and may develop many months following extubation. The duration of intubation does not appear to be a predictive risk factor. Subglottic stenosis is commonly an underlying finding in patients with SGC. Staging procedures with endoscopic diathermy is a highly effective modality, minimizing the need for more invasive procedures.