Bilateral Choanal Atresia in an Adolescent Female: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Choanal atresia is a rare congenital anomaly of the nasal cavities characterized by lack of patency of the posterior ends of one or both nasal cavities (choanae). It is the most common congenital anomaly of the nasal cavity. Bilateral choanal atresia accounts for a third of the cases and is almost invariably detected in the neonatal age due to respiratory distress. Detection of bilateral choanal atresia in adulthood is extremely rare and has been reported only a few times. We report a case of a teenage girl who was diagnosed with bilateral choanal atresia after presenting with longstanding snoring and intermittent nasal discharge. She was managed with bilateral transnasal endoscopic choanoplasty to restore the choanal patency.