CT evaluation of congenital choanal atresia: our experience and review of the literature.

Congenital choanal atresia (CCA) is the developmental failure of the nasal cavity to communicate with the nasopharynx. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyse the CT findings in such cases. Seven patients with CCA were included in our study over a 3-year period (2001-2004). All had a CT scan of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx to establish the diagnosis and to define the extent and type of atresia. The choanal atresia was found to be more commonly bilateral and more of the mixed (membranous-osseous) type. Bilateral CCA in the neonate is a medical emergency that should be treated as early as possible. Computed tomography is a valuable and easily accessible diagnostic tool.