The disappearing lesion in the cricopharynx: A hypopharyngeal cushion

A 2-year-old girl presented to our aero-digestive clinic with complaints of dysphagia to solids. On awake endoscopy, a bluish, expansile lesion was noticed. posterior to the arytenoids, which became prominent when crying. During the airway evaluation under general anesthesia, the lesion completely disappeared, revealing a normal posterior cricoid region. Upon closer examination, a small venous malformation was noted in the posterior pharyngeal wall. A diagnosis of a "hypopharyngeal cushion" was made.