Choanal atresia

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Choanal atresia
Membranoese Choanalatresie beidseits NG - CT axial und coronar - 001 -Annotationen.png
Bilateral membranous choanal atresia in CT scan
Specialty Medical genetics, otorhinolaryngology
Symptoms difficulty breathing, cyanosis
Complications cyanosis, hypoxia
Usual onsetfrom birth
Typesunilateral, bilateral
Causesdevelopmental problem with nasal cavity and palate
Risk factors largely unknown
Diagnostic method inability to place nasal catheter, CT scan
Treatmentsurgery to reopen the airway
Prognosis unilateral: very good bilateral: good with successful surgery
Frequency1 in 7,000 to 1 in 5,000 live births

Choanal atresia is a congenital disorder where the back of the nasal passage (choana) is blocked, usually by abnormal bony or soft tissue (membranous) due to failed hole development of the nasal fossae during prenatal development. It causes persistent rhinorrhea, and with bilateral choanal atresia, an obstructed airway that can cause cyanosis and hypoxia.

Contents

Choanal atresia is diagnosed based on the inability to place a nasal catheter, and radiology results (particularly CT scans). Treatment involves maintaining an open airway, and may involve surgery to reopen the airway, potentially with a stent. Choanal atresia is a fairly rare condition, affecting between 1 in 7,000 to 1 in 5,000 live births. It is more common in females and is more often unilateral.

Presentation

Choanal atresia can be unilateral or bilateral.

Associated conditions

Choanal atresia is associated with a higher risk of other airway problems, including: [1]

Sometimes, babies born with choanal atresia also have other abnormalities: [1]

Also any condition that causes significant depression of the nasal bridge or midface retraction can be associated with choanal atresia. Examples include the craniosynostosis syndromes such as Crouzon syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Apert syndrome, and Antley-Bixler syndrome. [1]

Cause

Choanal atresia is caused by problems with the development of the nasal cavity and the palate. Development begins with neural crest cells. Frontonasal processes fold, forming nasal placodes (nasal pits). The nasobuccal membrane must rupture in places to form the choanae. A number of theories exist as to how this developmental process causes choanal atresia. [1]

Risk factors

Very few risk factors for choanal atresia have been identified. In general, choanal atresia is associated with a higher risk of other birth defects. Bilateral choanal atresia is more associated than unilateral choanal atresia. [1]

While causes are unknown, both genetic and environmental triggers are suspected. [3] One study suggests that chemicals that act as endocrine disrupters may put an unborn infant at risk. A 2012 epidemiological study looked at atrazine, a commonly used herbicide in the U.S., and found that women who lived in counties in Texas with the highest levels of this chemical being used to treat agricultural crops were 80 times more likely to give birth to infants with choanal atresia or stenosis compared to women who lived in the counties with the lowest levels. [4] Another epidemiological report in 2010 found even higher associations between increased incidents of choanal atresia and exposure to second-hand-smoke, coffee consumption, high maternal zinc and B-12 intake and exposure to anti-infective urinary tract medications. [5] The anti-thyroid medication methimazole has been associated with the development of choanal atresia in rare cases if given during the first trimester of pregnancy. [6]

Mechanism

Choanal atresia causes closure of the posterior choanae in the nasal cavity. Around 30% of these affect just the bone, while around 70% affect both bone and membranes. Bones affected can include the body of the sphenoid bone, the vomer, the medial pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, and the horizontal plate of the palatine bone. [1]

Diagnosis

Nasal catheter

Choanal atresia can be suspected if it is impossible to insert a nasal catheter. [2] The length of catheter that can be inserted indicates where choanal atresia has occurred: shorter distances indicate a problem with the vomer, while longer distances indicate a problem with the posterior choanae. Mucus can be cleared (using suction) to visualise the abnormality. [1]

Radiology

Diagnosis is confirmed using CT scan. [1] [2] This is also useful for differential diagnosis. [1]

Treatment

Airway management

As bilateral choanal atresia is an emergency, the airway is secured. A small tube may be placed to the laryngopharynx. Tracheal intubation can also be used. If surgery cannot be performed soon after birth, tracheostomy may have better outcomes. [1]

Surgery

Surgery may be used to reopen the airway, [7] particularly with bilateral choanal atresia. [1] This may be performed through the nasal cavity or through the palate (accessed through the mouth). [7] A stent may be inserted to keep the newly formed airway patent. [8] Repeated dilatation may be performed. [9] CT guidance may be used. [7]

Epidemiology

Choanal atresia is fairly rare. [7] It may have a frequency between 1 in 7,000 births and 1 in 5,000 births. [1]

History

Choanal atresia was first described by Roederer in 1755. [10]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulmonary agenesis</span> Medical condition

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Kwong, Kelvin M. (2015). "Current Updates on Choanal Atresia". Frontiers in Pediatrics . 3: 52. doi: 10.3389/fped.2015.00052 . ISSN   2296-2360. PMC   4460812 . PMID   26106591.
  2. 1 2 3 Choanal atresia – PubMed Health
  3. ↑ Choanol atresia, NIH PubMed Health, August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Study: Exposure to herbicide may increase risk of rare disorder".
  5. ↑ Epidemiology of choanal atresia - the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, Vijaya Kancherla, University of Iowa, 2010.
  6. ↑ Barbero, Pablo; Valdez, Rita; Rodríguez, Hugo; Tiscornia, Carlos; Mansilla, Enrique; Allons, Adriana; Coll, Silvia; Liascovich, Rosa (2008-08-12). "Choanal atresia associated with maternal hyperthyroidism treated with methimazole: A case–control study". American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 146A (18). Wiley: 2390–2395. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.32497. ISSN   1552-4825.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Ramsden, James D.; Campisi, Paolo; Forte, Vito (1 April 2009). "Choanal Atresia and Choanal Stenosis". Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. Surgical Management of Nasal Obstruction. 42 (2): 339–352. doi:10.1016/j.otc.2009.01.001. ISSN   0030-6665. PMID   19328897.
  8. ↑ Sadek SA (January 1998). "Congenital bilateral choanal atresia". Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 42 (3): 247–56. doi:10.1016/S0165-5876(97)00142-0. PMID   9466228.
  9. ↑ Gosepath J, Santamaria VE, Lippert BM, Mann WJ (2007). "Forty-one cases of congenital choanal atresia over 26 years--retrospective analysis of outcome and technique". Rhinology. 45 (2): 158–63. PMID   17708465.
  10. ↑ Kumar, Sunil; Gupta, Sachin; Naglot, Shakuntala; Sahni, J. K. (2013). "Bilateral Choanal Atresia: Is it Really a Surgical Emergency?". Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 65 (Suppl 2): 205–209. doi:10.1007/s12070-011-0304-9. PMC   3738770 . PMID   24427647.
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