Minor congenital laryngeal clefts: diagnosis and classification

Abstract

Cleft larynx is a rare congenital anomaly. Detection of an unsuspected minor cleft may be difficult, but the pediatric laryngologist should suspect the possibility of cleft larynx from the clinical features. Four minor clefts are reported, three cases of supraglottic interarytenoid cleft and one of partial cricoid cleft. The technique for endoscopic diagnosis and the distinctive features are described and a classification into four types is proposed.