An Unusual Cause of Upper Airway Obstruction in Newborn: Congenital Nasal Pyriform Aperture Stenosis

Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNAPS) is a rare cause of pediatric nasal airway obstruction that clinically mimics choanal atresia in a neonate. CNPAS is suspected clinically and confirmed with CT scanning. Early diagnosis and management is essential for this potentially life-threatening condition. Because of the association this anomaly has with other midline defects, such as holoprosencephaly, it is important to recognize it and pursue a thorough workup. Patients can be managed conservatively or surgically. Surgical treatment is usually reserved for those patients that fail conservative treatment. We present a case of CNPAS, to highlight the importance of recognizing the classic signs of CNPAS on cross-sectional imaging to prevent fatal outcome.