Piriform aperture stenosis: a rare cause of neonatal airway obstruction

Because neonates are obligate nasal breathers, neonatal nasal obstruction may have serious consequences. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to avoid severe hypoxia. Anterior inlet, piriform aperture stenosis is an extremely rare cause of neonatal nasal airway obstruction and can easily be confused with choanal atresia or stenosis. Computed tomography with direct coronal scans is the best means of establishing a definitive diagnosis. We present our experience with four neonates having nearly complete piriform aperture stenosis. Prompt surgical enlargement of the nasal inlet through an upper buccal sulcus approach is recommended.