Definition:
Laryngomalacia is a medical condition wherein the larynx is extremely soft enough to cause breathing difficulties and also can initiate voice quality negative effects. Because the larynx is very soft, it tends to collapse during inhalation causing blockage to the airway passage. Laryngomalacia is literally referred to as soft larynx.
The condition is most common to occur in infants; however, it can also occur in older patients essentially those who have neuromuscular problems that are possible to develop weakness of the throat muscles.
Treatment:
Rare cases of Laryngomalacia necessitate surgery; the procedure is done to cut to aryepiglottic folds for the purpose of opening the suprapiglottic airway spring. Severe cases of Laryngomalacia may need a temporary tracheotomy; which is a surgical procedure done on the neck to create an incision in the trachea that will serve as the temporary airway.
Symptoms and Signs:
Just like other medical conditions associated with the throat, similar symptoms are manifested by Laryngomalacia including squeaking noise upon inhalation that can be described as high-pitched (inspiratory stridor). Infants most probably will experience difficulties in feeding. Most common symptoms are breathing difficulties.
Causes:
Some cases of Laryngomalacia are inherited; however, this is not a gene-associated medical condition.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
