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Occult supraglottic lymphatic malformation presenting as obstructive sleep apnea
James Chan1, Abbas Younes, Peter J Koltai
1Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, A71, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. chanj@ccf.org
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|March 14, 2003
Summary
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea can stem from rare supraglottic lymphatic malformations. Early diagnosis via laryngeal exam is crucial for effective management, avoiding tracheotomy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Sleep Medicine
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Sleep disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are prevalent in children, often linked to adenotonsillar hypertrophy.
- Oropharyngeal obstruction is the typical cause of pediatric OSA.
Observation:
- A case study of a child presenting with adenoidal hypertrophy and OSA.
- An unusual finding of an occult supraglottic lymphatic malformation (LM) was identified as the underlying cause.
- The diagnosis was established through fiberoptic laryngeal examination.
Findings:
- Occult supraglottic LMs are a rare etiology of pediatric OSA.
- These malformations can be challenging to diagnose and manage due to airway compromise.
- Successful management involved endoscopy and carbon-dioxide laser treatment, avoiding tracheotomy.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of thorough laryngeal examination in diagnosing pediatric OSA.
- Suggests minimally invasive techniques for managing supraglottic LMs.
- Emphasizes the potential for recurrence and the need for vigilant follow-up.