Severe snoring in a child with pycnodysostosis treated with a bilateral rib graft.

Abstract

Pycnodysostosis is a rare osteopetrotic disorder. This report describes a case of a 3(1/2)-year-old boy with pycnodysostosis who presented with severe snoring. The snoring was the result of a pharyngeal narrowing due to a hypoplastic mandible. Surgery consisted of a bilateral rib graft, which allowed an enlargement of the pharynx by acting both on an anterior projection of the chin and a decrease of the glossoptosis. A significant reduction of the snoring and an excellent mouth aperture were obtained. This technique is ideal for such patients presenting a high risk of infection, nonunion, and secondary fracture.

• Authors: Natacha Teissier, Marie-Line Jacquemont, Jean-Philippe Blancal, Monique Elmaleh-Bergès, Thierry Van Den Abbeele, Selim Bennaceur
• Journal: The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (Cleft Palate Craniofac J) Vol. 46 Issue 1 Pg. 93-6 (Jan 2009) ISSN: 1055-6656 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19115786 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Airway Obstruction (etiology, surgery)
• Bone Transplantation (methods)
• Child, Preschool
• Humans
• Male
• Mandible (surgery)
• Mandibulofacial Dysostosis (complications, surgery)
• Oral Surgical Procedures (methods)
• Pharynx (pathology)
• Ribs (transplantation)
• Snoring (etiology, surgery)