II. Definition
- Complete obstruction of one or both nares
III. Pathophysiology
- Infants are obligate nose breathers until 4 months old
IV. Signs
- Bilateral Choanal Atresia
- Cyanosis that is relieved with crying
- Unilateral Choanal Atresia
- Diagnosis usually delayed by years
- Foul mucus discharge from affected naris
- Upper Respiratory Infection may result in distress
V. Diagnosis
- Check patency with stethoscope (listen over nares)
- Small Feeding Tube unable to pass via naris
- Lubricate 5 french tube
- Normally should meet no resistance
VI. Management: Bilateral Choanal Atresia
- Bilateral Choanal Atresia in newborn is an emergency
- Stabilization
- Surgical repair
- Laser burrowing of bony Palate
VII. References
- Cloherty (1991) Neonatal Care, Little Brown, p. 501
- Fuloria (2002) Am Fam Physician 65(1):61-8 [PubMed]