Choanal atresia: Long‐term follow‐up with objective evaluation of nasal airway and olfaction

Abstract

Using the UPSIT, the bilateral CA patients have shown, on average, a moderate loss of the sense of smell when compared with normal controls of a similar age group. Acoustic rhinometry is not a useful study for posterior nasal conditions.

Unilateral Choanal Atresia in Adults: A Case Series

“…Congenital choanal atresia (CA) is an uncommon craniofacial anomaly characterized by obliterated posterior choanae leading to upper airway obstruction [3] [7] [8] [9]. It may be unilateral or bilateral [6] [7] [8] [9]. The exact embryologic explanation of CA is unclear until now.…”

Unilateral Choanal Atresia: Indications of Long-Term Olfactory Deficits and Volumetric Brain Changes Postsurgically

“…In this pilot study, we present 3 cases of unilateral choanal atresia with significantly lower odor threshold postsurgically. To date, there are only 2 published studies focusing on the postsurgical olfactory performance of adults with choanal atresia [11, 12]. Both of them have reported that patients with unilateral atresia have normal olfactory performance.…”

“…Moreover, olfactory evaluation has not been extensive in any of these studies. Gross-Isseroff et al [11] have tested their subject only in terms of odor threshold separately for each nostril, while Leclerc et al [12] have tested their 2 subjects with an odor identification test (both nostrils at once). Based on our findings, we suggest that olfactory testing of these patients should focus on all aspects of olfaction (identification, threshold, and discrimination) and should be performed separately for each nostril.…”

“…Two studies on children have demonstrated impaired olfaction (either hyposmia or anosmia) and abnormalities in the olfactory bulbs, which were either absent or hypoplastic [9, 10]. Adults with bilateral atresia tend to demonstrate permanent olfactory deficits, whereas those with unilateral atresia are reported to have normal olfaction [11, 12]. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that the aforementioned studies in adult population include a very limited number of participants.…”