Type I laryngeal cleft: late presentation

Laryngeal cleft anomalies are rare congenital defects of the posterior lary ngotracheal. wall that usually present with a history of recurrent respirat ory tract infections during the early neonatal period. Presentation of type I clefts can be subtle and subsequently can result in late diagnosis or in deed failure to present. We report on the case of a type I laryngeal cleft presenting with a history of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections a nd severe gastro-oesphageal reflux disease, at 19 years of age. This is the oldest documented initial presentation of a congenital laryngeal cleft, an d emphasizes the importance of maintaining a suspicion of the diagnosis int o early adulthood. We further highlight the role of gastro-oesophageal refl ux disease in the presentation of laryngeal clefts.