Bilateral congenital choanal atresia encountered in late adulthood

Abstract

We describe a case of bilateral congenital choanal atresia in the oldest patient reported with this condition in the recent English language literature. Case report and a review of the relevant English language literature, presenting the embryopathogenesis, diagnostic methods and treatment options for this condition. A 53-year-old woman having difficulty with nasal breathing, and with a continuous nasal discharge, was admitted to our clinic. Bilateral congenital choanal atresia was diagnosed by endoscopic examination and paranasal sinus computed tomography. Surgical treatment used an endoscopic transnasal approach. The follow-up examination a year later revealed adequate choanal openings bilaterally. To our knowledge, this is the oldest patient with bilateral congenital choanal atresia to be reported in the recent literature. This condition is rarely encountered in adulthood but should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis of persistent nasal obstruction.