Delayed Presentation of Laryngomalacia Masquerading as Subglottic Stenosis in an Operated Case of Pelviureteric Junction Obstruction: A Case Report

Abstract

We present a 2 month old boy, previously asymptomatic, who developed stridor, feeding difficulties and respiratory distress 10 days after undergoing left pyeloplasty under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Flexible bronchoscopy planned for suspected post‑intubation subglottic stenosis revealed a floppy, overhanging epiglottis consistent with laryngomalacia, the subglottis was normal. The case depicts how subclinical laryngomalacia may be unmasked or aggravated by intubation, presenting later with features mimicking subglottic stenosis. Awareness of this possibility is important when evaluating persistent stridor post airway intervention. Differential diagnosis should include exacerbation of congenital laryngomalacia among others.

Keywords: Subclinical laryngomalacia, Stridor, Subglottic stenosis, Intubation, Infant airway