Pharyngolaryngeal web. Report of a new anomaly

Within the last several months we have seen two patients with pharyngolaryngeal webs. The webs extend from the lateral borders of the epiglottis to the lateral and posterior pharyngeal walls framing the glottis with a "keyhole" type of effect. No web of this kind has ever been documented in the literature to our knowledge. These children suffer from intermittent airway obstruction, probably secondary to tethering of the epiglottis. These webs are very difficult to identify without the panoramic view of the hypopharynx which is afforded by the fiber-illuminated endoscopic telescopes. We recommend that endoscopy of neonates include observation of the hypopharynx with the endoscopic telescope as well as with the open laryngoscope.