Laryngomalacia is a common cause of chronic noisy breathing that can present as stridor in infants and neonates. Mild cases of laryngomalacia are usually followed clinically and managed conservatively. However, the evaluation and diagnosis could be challenging in some patients. We present a case of a 3-week-old male infant with persistent and worsening noisy breathing, snoring, and poor weight gain, prompting further evaluation. The patient had an initial diagnosis of laryngomalacia and obstructive sleep apnea with complete resolution of loud breathing with continuous positive airway pressure. A repeated evaluation of the upper airway for further investigation led to the diagnosis of a neck mass compressing the airway. We review the clinical presentation, management, and follow-up of this patient, as well as the literature of possible etiologies. In the case of our patient, timely diagnosis and treatment had significant prognostic implications.
15 April 2019 in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
Arnold Chiari malformation (ACM) is the most common cause of central sleep apnea (CSA) in otherwise healthy children. Although there are several case reports and series reported on this topic, ther...
15 February 2020 in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
Arnold-Chiari malformations are structural defects in the base of the skull and cerebellum, when part of the cerebellar tonsils herniates through the foramen magnum into the upper spinal canal, com...