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Bilateral choanal atresia in an adult: is it compatible with life?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Naresh K. Panda
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India
Sridhar Simhadri
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India
Shakuntala Ghosh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India
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Abstract

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Bilateral choanal atresia is potentially life-threatening. The condition almost always presents in the new born, with alternating phases of respiratory distress and apnoea relieved by crying. We report a rare case of bilateral choanal atresia presenting for the first time at 22 years of age. The patient had no features of cyanosis or apnoea, presenting only with bilateral nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea and anosmia. His neonatal history was unremarkable. No syndromic association was noted excepting for telecanthus. The presence of bony atresia was confirmed on computed tomography (CT) scan and transnasal endoscopic surgery was used to obtain a patent airway. This case is a rare report of bilateral choanal atresia presenting for the first time in adult life.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2004