Computed tomography in the evaluation of choanal atresia in infants and children

While traditional confirmatory clinical tests are helpful in establishing the diagnosis of choanal atresia, they give little useful information concerning the composition, position, and thickness of the atresia plate. Surgeons experienced in the repair of choanal atresia have recognized that detailed anatomic assessment is valuable in the preoperative selection of the method of repair and design of the repair once undertaken. The utilization of high-resolution computerized tomography to provide such information in a group of infants and children with choanal atresia forms the basis for this report. The application of computed tomography in the evaluation of choanal atresia and preoperative surgical planning is discussed. Based on this experience, we feel that the introduction of high-resolution computerized tomography is a significant advance in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to choanal atresia and should be the single radiographic procedure of choice.