# A Case of Life‐Threatening Stridor: Vallecular Cyst in a 2‐Month‐Old Infant

## TL;DR

A 2-month-old infant with a rare vallecular cyst causing severe breathing issues was successfully treated with surgery and targeted antibiotics.

## Contribution

Highlights the diagnostic challenges and management of vallecular cysts in infants with limited resources.

## Key findings

- Vallecular cysts can cause severe respiratory distress and require urgent intervention.
- Postoperative infections with XDR Acinetobacter can be managed using targeted antibiotic therapy.

## Abstract

Vallecular cysts are uncommon birth defects that substantially restrict an infant's airway. This paper emphasizes the difficulties in diagnosing and managing a transfer case with limited resources. If these cysts are not detected early, they can have major clinical consequences. A 2‐month‐old female infant presented with progressive inspiratory stridor, respiratory distress, vomiting, and fever over one month. Initial investigations suggested pneumonia, but direct laryngoscopy revealed a large vallecular cyst compressing the laryngeal structures. Blood cultures grew
Staphylococcus epidermidis
(MRSE). Emergency tracheostomy preceded complete cyst excision. Postoperative tracheal cultures identified XDR Acinetobacter, managed with targeted antibiotics.