Airway and Breathing Conditions

Our pediatric otolaryngologists have experience dealing with a vast range of pediatric airway problems. Weill Cornell Medicine facilities feature state-of-the-art, in-office endoscopic equipment to diagnose airway abnormalities, and we work closely with other pediatric specialty departments to coordinate care for complex patients of all ages, including neonates and infants with small airway conditions. We also manage a broad range of conditions using the most up-to-date medical, endoscopic and open surgical techniques, including tracheostomy placement, management and removal.

Symptoms of Airway Obstruction

• Noisy breathing (stridor)
• Fast or labored breathing
• Difficulty breathing with exertion
• Difficulty feeding
• Poor weight gain

Conditions We Treat

• Apnea
• Stridor
• Laryngomalacia
• Laryngeal cleft
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Voice disorders
• Subglottic stenosis
• Tracheomalacia
• Tracheostomy dependence
• Craniofacial abnormalities causing airway obstruction and feeding difficulties

We offer the following specialized diagnostic procedures and studies:

• Nasopharyngoscopy
• Sinus and nasal anatomy evaluation (i.e. adenoid hypertrophy)
• Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy and stroboscopy
• Upper airway anatomy evaluation (i.e. vocal cords, laryngomalacia)
• Upper airway inflammation evaluation (i.e. reflux)
• Direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy
• Upper and lower evaluation under anesthesia
• Assessment of anatomical defects that may require surgical correction:
• Laryngomalacia
• Laryngeal cleft
• Subglottic stenosis
• Tracheomalacia
• Tracheoesophageal fistula