Cystic hygroma co-existing with congenital subglottic stenosis

Respiratory distress is one of the commonest cause of admission into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, be it surgical or medical in nature. Adequate and prompt resuscitation as well as intubation can be life saving. Emergency or early tracheostomy may be necessary if airway intervention is needed. The authors present the case of a term neonate who was born with a large cervical cystic hygroma causing compression of the airway, together with a concurrent grade III subglottic stenosis, in respiratory distress within few minutes of life. Nine months post tracheostomy and sclero-therapy treatment twice, the child shows marked improvement. The succesful management of this unusual case of severe extrinsic compression with concurrent internal airway obstruction is presented.