- Definition: Lack of patency of the posterior nasal aperture.
- Bilateral Atresia: Presents soon after birth with severe respiratory distress.
- Unilateral Atresia: May go undiagnosed until later in childhood (rhinorrhea).
Types
- Membranous (10%)
- Bony (90%)
- Mixed
Diagnosis
- Cyanosis improves with crying.
- Inability to pass size 6 French catheter.
Associated Conditions
- CHARGE Syndrome: 70% of chonoal atresias associated with
- Coloboma
- Heart disease
- Atresia
- Retarded growth
- Genital hypoplasia
- Ear deformity
Treatment
- Emergency: Insertion of oral airway tube.
- Surgical: Transnasal or transpalatal choanal atresia repair.
