Introduction
Pharyngocele is a condition where the roof of your mouth caves in on itself. It can affect both men and women, but it’s more common in men. You may not even be aware that you have pharyngocele until a dentist or ENT doctor diagnoses it, but if left untreated it could result in serious problems like sleep apnea or gum disease — even tooth loss! Luckily there are treatments for this condition that can improve symptoms quickly…
What is pharyngocele?
Pharyngocele is a cyst in the throat that affects one in every 100,000 babies. It can be caused by a birth defect or injury, like an umbilical hernia or muscle damage from straining during childbirth. Pharyngocele should be treated before it causes serious problems such as choking on food and water or even death due to blockage of the airway.
What causes pharyngocele?
Pharyngocele is a condition in which the lining of the throat becomes weak, causing a bulge. It’s most often caused by a birth defect and can develop later in life as well.
The exact cause of pharyngocel isn’t known, but it appears to be related to excessive pressure on that area during pregnancy or delivery (when babies are born with their heads out of their mothers’ pelvises). The pressure causes blood vessels to rupture, leaving behind scar tissue that eventually becomes thicker than normal tissue.
How is pharyngocele diagnosed?
Pharyngocele is diagnosed by physical examination and imaging. The physical exam will reveal:
- tenderness over the vocal cord
- swelling of your neck, jawline or palate (soft tissue swelling)
How is pharyngocele treated?
If you have pharyngocel, your doctor will likely recommend surgery. The most common procedure for treating this condition is a transverse pharyngobrachial Rafinesque procedure (TPRF). This type of surgery involves making an incision between the sternum and clavicle (collarbone). Then they remove tissue that’s pressing on your airway, which helps open it up again.
When to get a second opinion on your diagnosis…
If you’re not sure about your diagnosis, or if you think the treatment is not working, or if you’re worried that something more serious may be going on with your child’s voice box and airway (such as an aneurysm), then it’s important to get a second opinion.
Pharyngocele can be a dangerous condition, but it’s usually easy to treat.
You should be aware that pharyngocel can be a dangerous condition, but it’s usually easy to treat. The good news is that most patients will recover completely from an episode of pharyngocel without long-term effects. But if you have asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), your doctor should consider whether your symptoms are related to this condition before recommending surgery for your pharyngocele.
Conclusion
Pharyngocele is a condition that affects the soft tissue of your throat, which can cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. This condition may be caused by an injury to the esophagus or stomach, but it can also occur spontaneously. For more information visit our website.
