Congenital Choanal Atresia: Etiology, Morphology and Diagnosis in 82 Cases

Abstract

A follow-up study on 82 patients with congenital choanal atresia revealed that the malformation was twice as common in females as in males and occurred on the right side only in 56% of the cases. The family histories, however, revealed no obvious hereditary trend, and a chromosome analysis showed no abnormalities. Additional malformations were observed in 49% of the patients, but with no constant pattern substantiating a syndrome. The findings of the present study indicate that the atresia may result from a persisting bucconasal membrane. In about 50% of the patients the nasal cavity was funnel-shaped with a posterior narrow end, but the height of the palatal vault did not differ from the normal. The frequency of otitis media and sinusitis was high, 31% and 21% respectively.

Dentofacial development in long‐lasting nasal stenosis

“…Heredity should also be expected. In a previous study on 82 individuals with choanal atresia, including the patients of the present study, a hereditary trend could not be strictly displayed (6). In addidon, other defects recorded in association with choanal atresia did not appear in a constant pattern substantiating the anticipation of a syndrome.…”

“…STOKSTED (24) reports a case with right-sided partial nasal stenosis resulting in a highly increased total nasal resistance. It may also be added that the extraordinarily high frequency of nasal infections in these patients (6,17) may reduce the air flow even more.…”

Management of choanal atresia in CHARGE association patients: A retrospective review

“…The disadvantage of the transpalatal approach is dental cross bite in up to 50% of patients [19]. Other complications include palatal fistula, peri-operative bleeding, palatal growth disturbance and difficult post-operative pain management [20].…”

Choanal Atresia

“…Bilateral choanal atresia presents early with airway compromise, but unilateral atresia typically presents later in childhood with nasal discharge, unilateral nasal obstruction, or occasionally with unilateral otitis media [34]. The clinical examination is revealing, and techniques such as observing fogging on a cold metal speculum, movement of a wisp of cotton wool, or even detection using a tympanometer to confirm a closed cavity can raise the suspicion of atresia [35].…”