Choanal atresia: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Choanal atresia
| image          = [[File:Membranoese_Choanalatresie_beidseits_NG_-_CT_axial_und_coronar_-_001_-Annotationen.png|250px]]
| caption        = CT scan showing bilateral choanal atresia
| field          = [[Otorhinolaryngology]]
| synonyms        =
| symptoms        = [[Nasal obstruction]], [[difficulty breathing]], [[cyanosis]]
| complications  = [[Respiratory distress]], [[failure to thrive]]
| onset          = [[Neonatal]]
| duration        =
| types          = [[Unilateral]], [[bilateral]]
| causes          = [[Congenital disorder]]
| risks          = [[Genetic factors]], [[environmental factors]]
| diagnosis      = [[CT scan]], [[nasal endoscopy]]
| differential    = [[Nasal septum deviation]], [[adenoid hypertrophy]]
| prevention      =
| treatment      = [[Surgical repair]]
| medication      =
| prognosis      = Generally good with treatment
| frequency      = 1 in 5,000 to 8,000 live births
| deaths          = Rare
}}
'''Choanal atresia''' is a congenital condition characterized by the blockage of the [[choanae]], the passages that connect the back of the nasal cavity to the [[pharynx]]. It is a significant condition because it can interfere with the ability to breathe, especially in newborns who are obligate nasal breathers. Choanal atresia can be unilateral, affecting one side, or bilateral, affecting both sides.
'''Choanal atresia''' is a congenital condition characterized by the blockage of the [[choanae]], the passages that connect the back of the nasal cavity to the [[pharynx]]. It is a significant condition because it can interfere with the ability to breathe, especially in newborns who are obligate nasal breathers. Choanal atresia can be unilateral, affecting one side, or bilateral, affecting both sides.
==Causes and Risk Factors==
==Causes and Risk Factors==
The exact cause of choanal atresia is not well understood, but it is believed to result from an abnormality in the development of the nasal fossae during embryonic growth. Risk factors may include genetic conditions such as [[CHARGE syndrome]], which is an acronym for a constellation of anomalies including Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retarded growth and development, Genital abnormalities, and Ear abnormalities.
The exact cause of choanal atresia is not well understood, but it is believed to result from an abnormality in the development of the nasal fossae during embryonic growth. Risk factors may include genetic conditions such as [[CHARGE syndrome]], which is an acronym for a constellation of anomalies including Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retarded growth and development, Genital abnormalities, and Ear abnormalities.
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
Symptoms of choanal atresia can vary depending on whether the condition is unilateral or bilateral. In cases of bilateral choanal atresia, symptoms are more severe and are present immediately after birth. They include difficulty breathing, cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen), and distress during feeding. Unilateral choanal atresia may not be diagnosed until later in life and symptoms can be milder, often including chronic nasal congestion and discharge.
Symptoms of choanal atresia can vary depending on whether the condition is unilateral or bilateral. In cases of bilateral choanal atresia, symptoms are more severe and are present immediately after birth. They include difficulty breathing, cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen), and distress during feeding. Unilateral choanal atresia may not be diagnosed until later in life and symptoms can be milder, often including chronic nasal congestion and discharge.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis of choanal atresia typically involves a combination of physical examination and imaging studies. A failure to pass a catheter through the nasal passage into the throat may suggest the presence of atresia. Imaging techniques such as [[computed tomography]] (CT) scans are used to confirm the diagnosis and to assess the anatomy of the nasal passages and the extent of the blockage.
Diagnosis of choanal atresia typically involves a combination of physical examination and imaging studies. A failure to pass a catheter through the nasal passage into the throat may suggest the presence of atresia. Imaging techniques such as [[computed tomography]] (CT) scans are used to confirm the diagnosis and to assess the anatomy of the nasal passages and the extent of the blockage.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment for choanal atresia is surgical. The goal of surgery is to create a patent airway that allows for normal breathing and drainage. The specific surgical technique used can vary, but may include transnasal endoscopic surgery or a transpalatal approach. Postoperative care is crucial to monitor for complications and to ensure that the airway remains open.
Treatment for choanal atresia is surgical. The goal of surgery is to create a patent airway that allows for normal breathing and drainage. The specific surgical technique used can vary, but may include transnasal endoscopic surgery or a transpalatal approach. Postoperative care is crucial to monitor for complications and to ensure that the airway remains open.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
With appropriate surgical treatment, the prognosis for individuals with choanal atresia is generally good. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, especially in cases of bilateral choanal atresia, to prevent complications related to oxygen deprivation. Long-term follow-up care is often necessary to monitor for potential recurrence of the blockage or other related issues.
With appropriate surgical treatment, the prognosis for individuals with choanal atresia is generally good. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, especially in cases of bilateral choanal atresia, to prevent complications related to oxygen deprivation. Long-term follow-up care is often necessary to monitor for potential recurrence of the blockage or other related issues.
==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Nasal congestion]]
* [[Nasal congestion]]
* [[Pediatric surgery]]
* [[Pediatric surgery]]
* [[Congenital disorders]]
* [[Congenital disorders]]
[[Category:Congenital disorders]]
[[Category:Congenital disorders]]
[[Category:Respiratory system]]
[[Category:Respiratory system]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
{{medicine-stub}}
{{medicine-stub}}
<gallery>
File:Membranoese_Choanalatresie_beidseits_NG_-_CT_axial_und_coronar_-_001_-Annotationen.png
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 01:57, 5 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Choanal atresia
Synonyms
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing, cyanosis
Complications Respiratory distress, failure to thrive
Onset Neonatal
Duration
Types Unilateral, bilateral
Causes Congenital disorder
Risks Genetic factors, environmental factors
Diagnosis CT scan, nasal endoscopy
Differential diagnosis Nasal septum deviation, adenoid hypertrophy
Prevention
Treatment Surgical repair
Medication
Prognosis Generally good with treatment
Frequency 1 in 5,000 to 8,000 live births
Deaths Rare


Choanal atresia is a congenital condition characterized by the blockage of the choanae, the passages that connect the back of the nasal cavity to the pharynx. It is a significant condition because it can interfere with the ability to breathe, especially in newborns who are obligate nasal breathers. Choanal atresia can be unilateral, affecting one side, or bilateral, affecting both sides.

Causes and Risk Factors[edit]

The exact cause of choanal atresia is not well understood, but it is believed to result from an abnormality in the development of the nasal fossae during embryonic growth. Risk factors may include genetic conditions such as CHARGE syndrome, which is an acronym for a constellation of anomalies including Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retarded growth and development, Genital abnormalities, and Ear abnormalities.

Symptoms[edit]

Symptoms of choanal atresia can vary depending on whether the condition is unilateral or bilateral. In cases of bilateral choanal atresia, symptoms are more severe and are present immediately after birth. They include difficulty breathing, cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen), and distress during feeding. Unilateral choanal atresia may not be diagnosed until later in life and symptoms can be milder, often including chronic nasal congestion and discharge.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of choanal atresia typically involves a combination of physical examination and imaging studies. A failure to pass a catheter through the nasal passage into the throat may suggest the presence of atresia. Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans are used to confirm the diagnosis and to assess the anatomy of the nasal passages and the extent of the blockage.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for choanal atresia is surgical. The goal of surgery is to create a patent airway that allows for normal breathing and drainage. The specific surgical technique used can vary, but may include transnasal endoscopic surgery or a transpalatal approach. Postoperative care is crucial to monitor for complications and to ensure that the airway remains open.

Prognosis[edit]

With appropriate surgical treatment, the prognosis for individuals with choanal atresia is generally good. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, especially in cases of bilateral choanal atresia, to prevent complications related to oxygen deprivation. Long-term follow-up care is often necessary to monitor for potential recurrence of the blockage or other related issues.

See Also[edit]

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