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laryngomalacia
LARYNGOMALACIA
DEFINITION:
A congenital disorder of the larynx characterized by inspiratory stridor and airway obstruction.
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
 incidence: most common congenital laryngeal abnormality
 age of onset:
 2 weeks to 2 months (stridor)
 risk factors:
 M > F (2:1)
PATHOGENESIS:
1. Background
 due to a congenital weakness of the aryepiglottic folds and epiglottis which are sucked into the airway during inspiration
 embryologic origin of defect unknown
 a self-resolving disorder as cartilagenous development will eventually support the affected structures
 when a similar process involves the:
 trachea - tracheomalacia
 bronchus - congenital lobar emphysema
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
1. Larynx
 malformation of the laryngeal cartilage (vocal cords)
 juvenile larygneal papillomatosis
 severe chondromalacia of larynx and trachea
2. Luminal Obstruction
 laryngeal web
 laryngeal hemangioma
 cysts - mucous retention cysts, brachial cleft cysts
 thyroglossal duct remnants
 lymphangioma
 congenital goiters
 vascular anomalies
3. Others
 Pierre Robin Syndrome
 hypoplasia of the mandible
 macroglossia
CLINICAL FEATURES:
1. Congenital Stridor
 begins within the first few days of life or up to 2 months (but not at birth)
 louder on inspiration
 worse with crying, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), supine position with neck flexed
 better in prone position with neck hyperextended
 may be accompanied by:
 significant inspiratory retractions
 normal voice -> hoarseness, aphonia, or laryngeal "crow"
 may worsen over the first few months of life before improving
2. Complications
 respiratory distress with dyspnea
 thoracic deformities (if retractions severe)
 failure to thrive (if difficulty nursing)
 tracheostomy (0.3%)
 long-term inspiratory stridor with URTI, exertion, and/or crying throughout childhood
INVESTIGATIONS:
1. Direct Laryngoscopy
 diagnostic
MANAGEMENT:
1. Supportive
 respiratory support with severe or life-threatening upper airway obstruction, i.e., intubation, tracheostomy
 feeding difficulties
 slow and careful feedings
 may use dropper or gavage feedings
2. Surgery
 surgical repair in severe cases
3. Prognosis
 natural history is worsening in the first few months of life with improvement at about 12 months with resolution by 18 months
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