title: Upper airway abnormalities in Canavan disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe upper airway anatomical abnormalities associated with Canavan disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical examination and laryngoscopy demonstrated oropharyngeal narrowing, macroglossia, and bronchial asymmetry in a child with Canavan disease. Tracheostomy decreased problems with chronic aspiration and obstructive sleep apnea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oropharyngeal obstruction and bronchial asymmetry are previously undescribed upper airway abnormalities found in an individual with Canavan disease. Tracheostomy is an effective method of managing chronic aspiration and obstruction in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Jethro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Francois
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Manaligod
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017825:Canavan Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*