| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 58-60 |
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Is isolated bilateral choanal atresia a real emergency? Two case reports
Sami A Al Kindy
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif 21947, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Correspondence Address:
Sami A Al Kindy
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taif University, PO Box 888, Taif 21947
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2278-0521.112633
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Bilateral choanal atresia (BCA) in newborns is thought to be a potentially life threatening anomaly. Unlike unilateral choanal atresia, its' early detection and management is considered to be an emergency. The aim of the present case presentation is an attempt to explain how a newborn, who is an obligatory nasal breather can survive this anomaly and adapt a new pattern of breathing. In this study, we present two rare cases of isolated BCA. According to our knowledge, only few similar cases were reported in the literature. The first one is a 60-year-old female that was discovered accidentally during clinical examination for a different complaint. The second case is a 24-year-old male presenting with bilateral nasal obstruction since childhood. The female declined the offer of surgical interference while the male underwent endoscopic drilling of the atretic plate, no stent was required post-operative. He was followed-up for more than a year with no evidence of restenosis. It can be concluded that isolated missed BCA in infants is compatible with life. Why these patients survive this anomaly, is a topic for discussion. We propose a trial of pacifier as a first line of management to allow the newborn with isolated BCA to adapt a new pattern of mouth breathing, thus avoiding early surgical interference with its risk of complications. |
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