Choanal atresia and associated anomalies.

The authors have studied 130 cases of choanal malformation. They found 53 bilateral atresias, 51 unilateral atresias and 26 cases of choanal stenosis. Fifty-seven of these cases were associated with other anomalies and 38 had at least two features of the CHARGE association (C, colobomas; H, heart defects; A, atresia choanae; R, retarded growth; G, genito-urinary defects; E, ear defects). The pathogenesis of choanal atresia in regard to the abnormal migration of neuroectodermal cells is discussed.