Acquired idiopathic laryngomalacia in a 12-year-old adolescent: A case report

• Published in: Allergy asthma & respiratory disease Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 40 - 43
• Main Authors: Minsol Kim, Seungwon Lee, Meeyong Shin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 30.01.2024
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2; Allergic rhinitis; Adolescent; Laryngomalacia
• ISSN: 2288-0402; 2288-0410

Laryngomalacia, the most common cause of stridor in infants, is characterized by the inward collapse of soft and immature upper laryngeal cartilages during inspiration, resulting in airway obstruction at the supraglottic level. Acquired laryngomalacia is a rare condition that mainly occurs following significant neurological dysfunctions associated with cerebrovascular disease, head and neck surgery, or cervical trauma. We present a case of acquired idiopathic laryngomalacia in a 12-year-old adolescent caused by the prolapse of redundant arytenoid mucosa. The patient exhibited no neurological dysfunctions or laryngeal deformities. However, he had allergic rhinitis accompanied by high serum immunoglobulin E levels. His symptoms worsened after being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Furthermore, allergic rhinitis or SARS-CoV-2 infection may have worsened preexisting asymptomatic congenital or acquired laryngomalacia through neurological damage. Acquired idiopathic laryngomalacia is rale in children. In cases where children and adolescents present with a sudden onset of inspiratory stridor, it is essential to perform a laryngoscopic examination for identifying potential cases of acquired laryngomalacia.