2. CONGENITAL DISEASES OF LARYNX
1. SUPRAGLOTTIC ANOMALIES:
Laryngomalacia
Laryngocele
Lymphangioma
Bifid uvula
2. GLOTTIC ANOMALIES:
Laryngeal web
Laryngeal atresia
Vocal cord paralysis
3. SUBGLOTTIC ANOMALIES:
Subglottic stenosis
subglottic hemangioma
Laryngeal & Larygotrache esophagus cleft
LARYNGOMALACIA:
Laryngomalacia is a congenital softening of the tissues of the larynx (voice box) above
the vocal cords. This is the most common cause of noisy breathing in infancy. The
laryngeal structure is malformed and floppy, causing the tissues to fall over the airway
opening and partially block it.
Signs & symptoms:
i. noisy breathing
ii. choking
iii. apnea
iv. choking while feeding
3. LARYNGOCELE:
It is an air filled dilation of saccule of the larynx that communicates with laryngeal
airway.
It can be unilateral or bilateral.
Symptoms:
i. Hoarseness
ii. Cough
iii. Sensation of foreign body in the throat
LYMPHANGIOMA:
Lymphangia’s are caused by abnormal development of the lymphatic system, but the
main cause is unknown.
A lymphangioma is described as a "somatic mutation," meaning that it affects the genes
but is not an inherited condition.
Lymphangiomas can also occur as part of another condition, including:
4. Noonansyndrome
Turner syndrome
Down syndrome
BIFID EPIGLOTTIS:
A bifid uvula is an abnormal split or division in the uvula, or tissue that hangs down at
the end of the soft palate in the roof of the mouth
Bifid uvula occurs between the 7th and 12th week of pregnancy because of an error in
the fusion of the uvula.
LARYNGEAL WEB:
Laryngeal web is a condition in which your child’s larynx (voice box) contains a layer of
web-like tissue. This partially obstructs your child’s windpipe, causing frequent
shortness of breath and other symptoms.
5. The larynx contains web-like tissue that limits the volume of air flowing in and out of the
windpipe.
Signs & Symptoms:
The most common symptom is frequent shortness of breath and stridor, which includes
a vibrating sound as if something is partially blocking the windpipe. Poor feeding and
weak cry have been associated with these webs.
Other symptoms that may occur include:
Wheezing
Coughing
Frequent chest infections
LARYNGEAL ATRESIA:
Laryngeal atresia is a complete upper airway obstruction that occurs when the larynx
fails to open during a baby's development in utero and remains blocked by cartilage or
other tissue when he's born. The infant will require an immediate tracheostomy at birth
in order to survive.
This condition is also called complete high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS).
6. VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS:
Vocal cord paralysis occurs when the nerve impulses to your voice box (larynx) are
disrupted. This results in paralysis of the vocal cord muscles.
Vocal cord paralysis can affect your ability to speak and even breathe
Signs and symptoms of vocal cord paralysis may include:
i. A breathy quality to the voice
ii. Hoarseness
iii. Noisy breathing
iv. Choking or coughing while swallowing food, drink or saliva
v. The need to take frequent breaths while speaking
vi. Ineffective coughing
vii. Frequent throat clearing
7. SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS:
Subglottic stenosis is a narrowing of the sub glottis (the area of the windpipe just
below the vocal folds. This narrowing is most often made of scar tissue.
The signs of subglottic stenosis include:
i. Noisy breathing (stridor)
ii. Respiratory distress
iii. Recurring croup
iv. Inability to breathe without a tracheostomy tube
8. SUBGLOTTIC HEMANGIOMA:
A subglottic hemangioma is a large mass of blood vessels in the airway, typically below
the vocal chords. They often grow very rapidly for six to 12 months and then start to
slowly shrink
Hemangiomas are the most common vascular malformation in infants and children.
Signs & symptoms:
Croup-like cough
Noisy breathing when inhaling and exhaling
Difficulty breathing
LARYNGEAL CLEFT:
A laryngeal cleft (or laryngotracheal cleft) is an abnormal opening between the larynx
and the esophagus through which food and liquid can pass through the larynx into the
lungs. This causes a number of eating and breathing problems.
Symptoms of the disorder include:
i. coughing
ii. gagging
iii. frequent respiratory infections
