Subglosso-palatal membrane a rare cause of neonatal respiratory distress: A case report

Abstract

Subglosso-palatal membrane is a rare cause of acute respiratory distress in newborn. Contrary to the earlier reported cases in which immediate splitting or excision of membrane has been described as measure to relief respiratory distress, we managed our case successfully without any emergency surgical procedure.

Subglossopalatal Membrane With Associated Cleft Palate, Cardiovascular, and Neurologic Anomalies

“…1,2 This may be required on an emergent basis in the event of airway obstruction. As suggested by Pandey et al, 5 outcomes may be improved by first stabilizing the patient because neonates are nasal breathers, and a non-obstructing membrane may not be the cause of respiratory distress. In our case, excision took place on day-of-life 2, when the patient was stable.…”

“…Subglossopalatal membrane is a rare congenital oral synechia. It has been described in the literature only a handful of times 1–8 since Nakajima et al 1 first defined it in 1979 (Supplementary Digital Content, Table 1, http://links.lww.com/SCS/D433). Delineation between SGPM and BPM remnants based on embryologic anatomy and associated anomalies have been proposed 2,9 …”

“…It was first described in the literature by Nakajima et al 1 The etiology is unknown, and whereas it has been categorized as a buccopharyngeal membrane (BPM) remnant, Zalzal et al 2 suggests that it may be due to an abnormal fusion event in the 6th or 7th week of gestation. Eight cases in the literature describe subglossopalatal membranes, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] with 5 of them being associated with additional congenital anomalies (Supplementary Digital Content, Table 1, http://links.lww.com/ SCS/D433). Here, we present a case of subglossopalatal membrane with associated anomalies that was treated with surgical excision.…”

Isolated subglossopalatal membrane: a rare entity to encounter

“…However, isolated subglossopalatal membrane has never been reported in the literature. Earlier, it was believed to be a surgical emergency; however, a recent report has shown that surgical outcome is better if the newborn is stabilised with primary management 3. This comprises supplemental oxygen, antibiotics and intravenous fluid followed by surgical excision 3…”