Airway Obstruction

Question 1

why are neonates obligate nasal breathers?

Answer 1

large tongue
large head
small nares
Small, soft larynx
Higher position (C1)
Weak neck muscles; floppy head
Narrow subglottis (3.5 mm at the cricoid)

Question 2

what is Poiseuille’s Equation?

Answer 2

A=Pi x Radius to the power of 4

Question 3

what is Bernoulli Principle/Venturi Effect?

Answer 3

complicated.

Question 4

Causes of airflow obstruction?

Answer 4

Inflammatory/Infective causes /Allergy
Foreign bodies 
Physical compression/invasion of airway 
Trauma/Iatrogenic Trauma
Neurological causes
Neoplastic causes 
Burn
Congenital airway pathology

Question 5

what is stridor?

Answer 5

High pitched harsh noise due to turbulent airflow resulting from airway obstructions

Question 6

what is stertor?

Answer 6

Low pitched sonorous sound arising from nasopharyngeal airway

Question 7

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Answer 7

rare condition caused by HPV infection of throat.
causes assorted tumors or papillomas to develop over a period. Without treatment it is potentially fatal as uncontrolled growths could obstruct the airway.
Laryngeal papillomatosis is caused by HPV types 6 and 11
treatment is antivirals or surgery

Question 8

Subglottic Stenosis

Answer 8

narrowing of the subglottic airway in children (congenital or acquired). can occur in adults less commonly.

Question 9

what are the options for airway endoscopy?

Answer 9

Rigid Endoscopy and / or Flexible Endoscopy

Examination Without the ET tube is the best option

Question 10

what is Heliox?

Answer 10

79% Helium+ 21% Oxygen

Question 11

Options for GA?

Answer 11

Anaesthetic Gas (Sevoflurane)
Intravenous Anaesthesia (Propofol, Remifentanyl)

Question 12

Non-GA?

Answer 12

Heliox (79% Helium+ 21% Oxygen)
Nebulised Budesonide 2mg
Dexamethasone 0.15-0.6 mg/kg
Nebulised Adrenaline 1:10000 (5ml)