Congenital subglottic stenosis: the elliptical cricoid cartilage.

Various malformations of the cricoid cartilage produce congenital subglottic stenosis. The elliptical cricoid cartilage first was demonstrated histopathologically in horizontal sections of six postmortem specimens and now has been identified clinically in ten patients. The clinical diagnosis of the elliptical cricoid cartilage, suggested by anteroposterior soft tissue neck films, is confirmed at direct laryngoscopy. Delineation of the precise location, extent, and histopathology of subglottic stenosis provides the basis for rational management.