What is nasopharyngeal stenosis?
Introduction. Complete nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) is a very rare condition that is characterized by the obstruction of the nasopharynx by submucosal fibrotic tissue from the soft palate and posterior pharynx [1].
What causes nasopharynx problems?
having a diet very high in salt-cured meats and fish. being exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that causes glandular fever. having a job where you’re regularly exposed to hardwood dust.
What is the nasopharyngeal?
The nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat (pharynx) that lies behind the nose. It’s a box-like chamber about 1½ inches on each edge. It lies just above the soft part of the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and just in back of the nasal passages.
Is nasopharynx superior?
The nasopharynx represents the most superior portion of the pharynx, bounded superiorly by the skull base and inferiorly by the soft palate.
How do you fix nasopharynx?
One of the most successful methods of repair is division of the obstruction and resection of the scar tissue along with resurfacing using rotational mucosal flaps. Since 2008, endoscopic transnasal repair using either powered shavers or lasers has become a popular method of repairing nasopharyngeal stenosis.
What is the role of the nasopharynx?
The nasopharynx is the space above the soft palate at the back of the nose and connects the nose to the mouth, which allows a person to breathe through the nose.
What causes the nasopharynx to not close properly?
Causes include a history of cleft palate, adenoidectomy, irregular adenoids, cervical spine anomalies, or oral/pharyngeal tumor removal. In contrast, “velopharyngeal incompetence” refers to a neurogenic cause of inadequate velopharyngeal closure.
Where is the nasopharyngeal located?
The nasopharynx is the space above the soft palate (roof of the mouth) at the back of the nose. It connects the nose to the back of the mouth and allows people to breathe through the nose.
How does a nasopharyngeal airway work?
An NPA is a tube that is designed to provide an airway passage from the nose to the posterior pharynx. NPAs can create a patent pathway and help avoid airway obstruction due to hypertrophic tissue. The NPA creates a patent airway throughout the distance of the tube.
Is the nasopharynx part of the upper respiratory system?
Upper respiratory tract The larynx is also called the voice box and has the associated cartilage that produces sound. The tract consists of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, the pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx) and sometimes includes the larynx.
What opens into nasopharynx?
The openings from the two nasal cavities into the nasopharynx (here’s the right one) are called the choanae, or posterior nares. The roof of the nasophaynx lies underneath the basilar part of the occipital bone. The back of the nasopharynx lies in front of the atlas vertebra: here’s the anterior arch of the atlas.
What are the symptoms of nasopharyngeal stenosis in adults?
The history includes a traumatic insult (iatrogenic, traumatic, or infective) to the nasopharynx. Symptoms include mouth breathing, snoring, rhinorrhea, hyponasality, dysphagia, otalgia, loss of hearing ( otitis media ), and anosmia.
When do you need surgery for nasopharyngeal stenosis?
Surgical correction of nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) may be contraindicated in the presence of the patient’s comorbidities and inability to tolerate anesthesia or surgery, but the symptoms, which are usually severe at presentation, usually require surgical intervention.
When does nasopharyngeal stenosis appear after radiotherapy?
Nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) may appear months to years after adenoidectomy or uvuloplasty or radiotherapy. It results from excess mucosal removal or scarring during surgery or radiotherapy followed by scar contracture and maturation. The degree and extent of the stenosis may vary from patient to patient.
What is the difference between choanal atresia and nasopharyngeal stenosis?
Nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) should not be confused with choanal atresia. Choanal atresia is a congenital deformity that causes a narrow or completely obstructed airway at the choanae that often extends into the nasal cavity. [ 1] Generally, choanal atresia includes a bony component.