Publication:

Bilateral choanal stenosis in a craniosynostosis child: a case report

Congenital bilateral choanal stenosis is a rare developmental condition and is highly associated with craniosynostosis syndromes. It can present with life threatening asphyxia. Diagnosis is made clinically using simple bedside tests and nasoendoscopy. Computed tomography of paranasal sinus confirms the diagnosis and facilitates pre-operative planning. Although the definitive treatment is surgery, the surgical options are based on involvement of unilateral or bilateral as well as bony or membranous. We report a rare case of bilateral choanal stenosis in a child with Pfeiffer syndrome who presented with severe respiratory distress at day 32 of life. Clinically, there was failure to insert suction catheter size 6 French through both nasal cavities. A high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of paranasal sinus confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral choanal stenosis. Endoscopic repair of the choanal stenosis was performed and stent was inserted for 14 days. Post-operatively, there was no evidence of restenosis after 3 months of clinical follow up.