Bilateral congenital aplasia of nasal lower lateral cartilage: a rare anomaly

Abstract

Congenital nasal anomalies are rare and occur in 1/20 000–1/40 000 newborns. An 8-year-old boy presented with developmental aplasia of bilateral nasal lower lateral cartilages, with excessive wrinkled and loose skin on the dorsum of the nose and with difficulty breathing through the nose. This is probably the first such case to be reported in the literature. The defect was reconstructed using conchal and septal cartilage grafting through an external rhinoplasty approach. At the end of the 12-month follow-up period, the patient was found to be satisfied with the functional and aesthetic results of the operation. Bilateral congenital aplasia of nasal lower lateral cartilages is extremely rare. Paediatric rhinoplasty is imperative in such cases.

Congenital Aplasia of Lower Lateral Cartilage, the Reconstruction via Closed (Endonasal) Rhinoplasty Approach

“…The congenital anomalies of the nose are rare [1], occur in 1\20000-1\40000 of newborns [2]. The anomalies of the nose range from complete aplasia of the nose to duplications and nasal masses [3].…”

“…reported cases are unilateral [1,6,8]. Bilateral aplasia is rare [2,7,9]. The incidence of Lower lateral cartilage aplasia was reported about 0.016 of consecutive series of primary septorhinoplasty patients [8].…”