Congenital choanal atresia: computed tomographic and clinical findings.
Congenital choanal atresia is a rare developmental anomaly characterized by failure of communication of the posterior nasal cavity with the nasopharynx. It may present as a component of the CHARGE association (C, coloboma; H, heart disease; A, atresia choanae; R, retarded growth and development; G, genital hypoplasia; and E, ear anomalies and/or deafness). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the computed tomographic (CT) appearance of membranous or bony type congenital choanal atresia. Six patients (4 females, 2 males; age range, 1 day to 8 weeks; mean, 13.8 days) with choanal atresia were included in this study and evaluated by CT scan. The CT clearly delineated the full anatomic abnormalities of choanal atresia. Among the 6 patients, three (50%) had bilateral membranous atresia, two (33%) had bilateral bony atresia, and one (17%) had unilateral (left) membranous atresia. Additionally, two (33%) patients (1 bilateral membranous atresia, 1 bilateral bony atresia) fit at least four of the six criteria in the CHARGE association. The CT plays a significant role in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to congenital choanal atresia and should be the examination method of choice to evaluate neonates with nasal obstruction.
Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
C Y
CY
Hsu
Y W
YW
Li
J C
JC
Hsu
D002754:Choanal Atresia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed