Congenital subglottic stenosis.

Abstract

CONGENITAL laryngeal atresia was first described by Rossi in 1826. Since that time, increasing attention has been directed towards laryngeal anomalies as a major cause of asphyxia neonatorum. Reports in the German literature by Schneider, Hempel, and Kneizl of 26 cases of laryngeal atresia are referred to by Smith and Bain. 1 Holinger et al 2 reported 379 cases of congenital laryngeal anomalies, 305 of which were diagnosed as congenital laryngeal stridor or laryngomalacia. Of the remaining 74 cases, the largest group (34) was congenital subglottic stenosis. Other reports 3-6 support the fact that subglottic stenosis occurs more frequently than is realized. Subglottic stenosis as defined in this paper is a developmental defect of the conus elasticus and/or cricoid cartilage. Since 1950, we have had four cases of this congenital anomaly at the University of Minnesota and affiliated hospitals. Report of Cases Case1.—This white male infant was the firstborn