[Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis: a case report]

Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis is a rare and poorly understood pathology. It's etiology is unknown. In cases with severe nasal airway obstruction, this anomaly may produce newborn respiratory destress similar to those seen in bilateral posterior choanal atresia. It can occur as an isolated anomaly or it can be associated with a dental anomaly, craniofacial, ophthalmological or central nervous system malformation. The diagnosis is made by physical examination. Computed tomography confirms the diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and pituitary endocrine axis must be performed. In patients with severe obstruction, surgical correction is necessary. We describe the case of a 1-month-old child who needed surgical treatment with a sublabial approach for a congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis associated with a solitary maxillary central incisor. The follow-up (4 years) reveals normal nasal airway and facial growth.