Elliptical cricoid cartilage: a unique type of congenital subglottic stenosis

Abstract

A 6-month-old Hispanic boy was well until 2 days before admission, when he presented with respiratory distress, fever, stndor, and wheezing. He was treated medically for croup and showed some improvement. The otorhinolaryngology service was consulted because of persistent stridor. An AP airway radiograph revealed subglottic narrowing with an hourglass configuration (Fig. 1C). Direct laryngoscopy revealed an elliptically shaped, hard cncoid cartilage as well as tracheomalacia.A tracheostomy was performed.The patient is to be followed by the otorhinolaryngology service and is to retum for a repeat direct laryngoscopy.