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Upper airway obstructive symptoms because of ectopic gastric mucosa in a newborn: a case report
Paul Daher1, Edward Riachy, Smart Zeidan
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, St Joseph University, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. jmpaul@dm.net.lb
Insights
Ectopic gastric mucosa in the pharynx caused upper airway obstruction in an infant, requiring surgical removal. This rare condition highlights a novel cause of neonatal respiratory distress.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Upper airway obstruction is a critical condition in neonates.
- Pharyngeal masses can compromise infant respiration and swallowing.
Observation:
- An 8-month-old infant presented with persistent upper airway obstruction post-extubation.
- Laryngoscopy identified a mucosal fold from the posterior pharyngeal wall obstructing the airway.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the pharyngeal mass resolved the obstruction.
- Histological analysis confirmed the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa.
Implications:
- This case represents the first documented instance of ectopic gastric mucosa causing neonatal airway obstruction.
- Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing this rare condition.
Abstract:
An 8-month-old female infant was referred after unsuccessful attempts of extubation owing to upper airway obstruction by a pharyngeal soft tissue mass. Laryngoscopic examination revealed an obstructing mucosal fold originating from the posterior pharyngeal wall. The lesion was totally excised with remarkable improvement of the infant's deglutition and respiration. Histologic examination revealed an ectopic gastric mucosa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ectopic gastric mucosa causing upper airway obstruction in a newborn.
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