Is there a way to dilate an obstructed nose without surgery?

Question

Hi doctor,

My baby girl is 3 weeks old and she has a problem with her right nose. She cannot breathe and the physicians said me that it is an obstruction but not an imperforation. The physicians tried to aspire and the secretions are gelatin. The secretion is bacteriologically negative. The next step is to dilate surgically with a thicker tube in nose. Is there any tube to dilate this nose without surgery? I am looking forward to your answer. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

With the details you have provided, it seems like unilateral choanal atresia (blockage of the nasal passage). Choanal atresia can be unilateral or bilateral, and can also be bony or membranous. It is a congenital problem that is present from birth. In unilateral, if membranous then we need to dilate using tubes and in case of bony we have to remove the bone.

If bilateral immediate surgery is required, the baby after birth cannot breathe at all. Since your baby has sterile discharge (no bacteria), it seems to be unilateral choanal atresia. Confirmation can be done by a CT scan. If the diagnosis is choanal atresia, then a tube is the solution. Use of fibroblasts has also shown some improvement, but it is still under study.

I hope this information is helpful.

Please let me know if you have any further questions, and I would be happy to assist you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Please send me reports of your baby. Whatever the doctor said, I need to know the diagnosis to suggest you anything. If the diagnosis is not confirmed and baby has right-sided nose block and discharge since birth then according to me it should be choanal atresia. Only CT can confirm the diagnosis. Yes, CT can be done in your baby.

I hope this information is helpful.

Please let me know if you have any further questions, and I would be happy to assist you.

Thank you.