Résumé
Laryngeal cysts were classified by de Santo et al as saccular, ductal, and foraminal cysts of the thyroid cartilage. The latter appear like a projection of the subglottic laryngeal mucosa herniating through the persistent foramina, occasionally seen in the anterior lateral part of the thyroid ala (congenital defect of the cartilage at the site of vessel penetration). The laryngeal cysts are lined by respiratory epithelium, columnar epithelium, or less commonly by stratified squamous epithelium or by the combination of those patterns. The foraminal cysts are extremely rare and their existence is quite controversial. We report a case that seems to belong to the foraminal cyst category. A 13-year old boy had a 1-year history of a nontender cartilaginous painless and stable cervical mass, palpable in front of the left thyroid ala. There was no history of trauma. Indirect laryngoscopy was normal; there was no displacement of the vocal fold in the laryngeal lumen.
http://www.entnet.org/journal/casereports/OTO-07.pdf/