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Type I Posterior Laryngeal Clefts
Author(s) -
Parsons David S.,
Stivers F. Edward,
Giovanetto Donald R.,
Phillips Scott E.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199803000-00017
Subject(s) - laryngomalacia , medicine , laryngoscopy , glottis , palpation , larynx , endoscopy , surgery , general surgery , pediatrics , airway , stridor , intubation
Posterior laryngeal clefts (PLCs) are described in the literature as rare laryngeal abnormalities. The authors believe type I clefts are much more common than previously reported. In two busy pediatric tertiary care centers, such clefts are the second most common congenital laryngeal finding at rigid endoscopy, second only to laryngomalacia. PLCs frequently present with symptomatology that can be attributed to other common disease processes and are often undiagnosed unless the surgeon maintains a high index of suspicion and specifically examines the posterior glottis by palpation during microlaryngoscopy. This report presents a series of 41 patients with type I PLCs, reviews their subtle and often confusing presenting signs and symptoms, and describes a simple yet reliable method of diagnosis.