We report a rare case of laryngotracheal anomaly and its possible etiology and mode of presentation. A teenager presented with voice change and a neck lump. Investigations revealed a laryngeal anomaly in which the larynx was hyperdescended. It was accompanied by low lying thyroid gland and hyoid bone together with an absence of a cervical segment of the esophagus and trachea. The anomaly only became noticeable secondary to pubertal changes in the thyroid cartilage of the teenager. An embryological defect during the formation of the laryngotracheal tube and esophagus is a possible explanation of this anomaly. The present case probably represents the third reported of its kind.
Congenital laryngotracheo-oesophageal cleft is a rare anomaly which presents a challenge to the anaesthetists because of the potential problems of establishing and maintaining an airway. We report the anaesthetic management of a one-month old baby with complete or type IV laryngotracheo-oesophageal presenting for the repair of the defect. The management of the precarious airway is presented and the various techniques of managing the airway are reviewed.
We report a bizarre case of accessory larynx in an infant with OEIS syndrome (omphalocele, cloacal exstrophy, imperforated anus & spinal defects). This is the first reported case in literature of a duplicate accessory larynx which is a mirror image of the true larynx. A congenital duplication of the larynx is a rare anomaly and can present in various forms. In this case, the infant presented with recurrent lung infection and inability to wean off oxygen. Scope revealed severe laryngomalacia in addition to the accessory larynx. Hence, supraglottoplasty was done with aim to resolve the lung and airway problem.