Neisseria flavescens Infection in Atypical Multiple Vallecular Cysts

A 53 year-old female patient presented with symptoms of intermittent odynophagia and halitosis persisting for 2 months. Physical examination revealed bilateral lingual tonsillar cysts and multiple vallecular cysts with clear fluid. Laboratory studies were unremarkable. The patient underwent surgery, during which uncapping of the multiple vallecular cysts was performed, and multiple microbiological samples and biopsies were taken. After surgery, the patient had complete resolution of all her symptoms. Pathological results demonstrated lymphoepithelial cysts. Microbiological tests demonstrated an infection by Neisseria flavescens, which is a non-pathogenic commensal of the oropharynx, and has never been described as causing agent of infected vallecular cysts.