Bilateral Congenital Choanal Atresia in a 51-Year-Old Woman

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A 51-year-old woman with bilateral congenital choanal atresia (CCA) is presented. She had episodes of respiratory distress that were relieved by crying and worsened by breastfeeding during her newborn period. No other abnormality had been documented during her early childhood period and she had not undergone any surgical intervention or trauma to the nose. No other congenital anomaly was noted. METHODS: The diagnosis was established by endoscopic examination and computed tomography (CT) scan of the paranasal sinuses. RESULTS: She was treated successfully by a transnasal endoscopic surgical technique with short-term stenting. Follow-up examination 18 months after the surgery still showed patent neochoana. CONCLUSION: According to the English literature, this case represents the oldest patient with bilateral CCA presenting for the first time in adult life.