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Clinical Aspects of Type 1 Posterior Laryngeal Clefts: Literature Review and a Report of 31 Patients
Author(s) -
van der Doef Hubert P.,
Yntema Jan Bart,
van den Hoogen Frank J.,
Marres Henri A.
Publication year - 2007
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/mlg.0b013e318033c2e9
Subject(s) - stridor , laryngomalacia , medicine , choking , retrospective cohort study , pediatrics , clinical significance , comorbidity , surgery , airway , anatomy
Objectives : The clinical relevance of posterior laryngeal clefts (PLCs) of type 1 has only recently been highlighted in the medical literature. We present a review of the literature and a report of a contributive series of 31 type 1 PLC patients. Study Design and Methods : We performed a MEDLINE search of studies published between 1966 and September 2005 and a retrospective cohort study in children aged 0 to 16 years. Results : In the reviewed articles as well as in the presented study, a high degree of comorbidity in patients with PLC type 1 is reported. The majority of patients (90%) with severe problems with oral feedings were treated conservatively by means of nasogastric tube feeding. Conclusions : Increased awareness improves the chances of an accurate diagnosis of type 1 PLC in patients with congenital stridor. Type 1 PLC may be present in all patients with congenital stridor and laryngomalacia, particularly when stridor is accompanied by symptoms such as feeding difficulties and choking.