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Bruce Benjamin, OBE, FRACS, FAAP, DLO; Eric A. Mair, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1991;117(10):1118-1122.

Abstract
• Congenital interarytenoid web is a rare laryngeal anomaly whose distinctive feature is a band of tissue joining the medial surfaces of the arytenoids and restricting abduction of the vocal cords. It appears to arise from persistence of the embryonic membranous interarytenoid layers, which form the epithelial lamina of the fetal laryngeal sagittal cleft. This review of 16 cases seen in a 15-year period describes the clinical features, diagnostic evaluation, and management. In addition to the interarytenoid web, which is present to some degree in all patients, associated anomalous features may include subglottic stenosis, enlarged bulky arytenoids, and difficulty exposing the larynx and maintaining the airway during anesthesia and endoscopy. The association of these four features in this rare laryngeal anomaly has not been previously described. Diagnosis depends on direct laryngoscopy with particular attention to the posterior larynx. Tracheotomy may be required for 3 to 5 years as definitive corrective management has not been established.

(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1991;117:1118-1122)

Author Affiliations
From the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia, and the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Wilford Hall US Air Force Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Tex.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication April 23, 1991.

The opinions contained herein are the private views of the authors and do not purport to reflect the position of the Department of the Air Force or the Department of Defense.

Reprint requests to 229 Macquarie St, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia (Dr Benjamin).

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