[Tornwald's cyst in clinical practice].

Aim: Tornwald's cyst is a recess in the midline of the nasopharynx, which is produced by persistent notochord remnants. The aim of the study was to present difficulties in diagnostic procedures in patients with Tornwald's cyst suspicion.

Material And Method: Authors present 2 cases of patients being treated for Tornwald's cyst in the Audiology and Phoniatrics Clinic of Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing in Warsaw.

Results: Discussed patients complained fullness in ears, hearing disorders, tinnitus, dysphagia, occipital headaches and balance problem. Both patients underwent ENT examination with endoscopic examination of nasopharynx and hearing assessment tests(pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry). Magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography were also performed. Surgery of nasopharyngeal cyst and tympanotomy with drainage of middle ear were performed in one patient. Second patient was treated with TRT therapy for her tinnitus.

Conclusion: Tornwald's cyst should be remembered as an uncommon cause of hearing problems, tinnitus, fullness in ears, dysphagia, occipital headaches and balance problem. Magnetic resonance imaging seems to be the most specific method in Tornwald's cyst diagnosis.