Airway Pathology (not sleep) - Stridor, RRP, infections Flashcards
What is the rule for choosing appropriate pediatric ETT sizes? What is it for cuffed and uncuffed? What about a child under 1 year old?
ETT cuffed = (Age in years/4) + 4 (some say 3.5 for cuffed, 4 for cuffless)
= Size of inner diameter of bronchoscopy (for ages 2-10 years)
Uncuffed = (Age + 16) / 4
Note:
- ETTs are measured and numbered by Inner diameter
- Estimate size using a child’s pinky finger (estimates size of subglottis, the narrowest part of child)
- For infants < 1 year of age, use 3.5mm inner diameter tube
What are the pediatric bronchoscope sizes based on age of child?
What is the smallest bronchoscope that will fit a peanut grasper?
How do you measure the outer diameter?
Measured by inner diameter
Estimate with ETT size calculation (want ~1-2mm smaller than airway diameter to be able to fit
Size, (inner diameter, outer diameter)
Premie = 2.5 (3.7)
Term = 3 (5.0)
6 months to 1 year = 3.5 (smallest size that will fit a peanut grasper) (5.7)
1-3 years = 3.7 (6.3)
2-5 years = 4 (6.7) or 5 (7.8)
5-10 years = 5 (7.8)
10+ years = 6 (8.2)
Outer diameter (and size of airway) = approximately ID + 1.5-2 (Vancouver is ID + 0.8)
Vancouver 472
What is the estimated endotracheal tube, tracheostomy tube, and ventilating bronchoscope sizing chart by age?
Premature:
- ETT: 2.5
- Tracheostomy: 2.5
- Bronchoscope: 2.5
0-6 months:
- ETT: 3
- Tracheostomy: 3
- Bronchoscope: 3
6-12 months:
- ETT: 3.5
- Tracheostomy: 3.5
- Bronchoscope: 3.5
1-2 years:
- ETT: 4
- Tracheostomy: 4
- Bronchoscope: 3.7
2-3 years:
- ETT: 4.5
- Tracheostomy: 4.5
- Bronchoscope: 4
3-4 years:
- ETT: 4.5
- Tracheostomy: 5
- Bronchoscope: 4.5
4-5 years:
- ETT: 5
- Tracheostomy: 5.5
- Bronchoscope: 5
What are the pediatric laryngoscope sizes?
0-6 months: 8
6-12 months: 9
1-5 years: 11
5-10 years: 13.5 (does not have side port for oxygen)
10+ years: As per adult
What are the pediatric esophagoscope sizes?
Approximately 1/2 laryngoscope size and round up to a whole number
0-6 months: 4
6-12 months: 5
1-5 years: 6
5-10 years: 7
10+ years: As per adult
What are the four methods of ventilating a pediatric patient during suspension laryngoscopy?
- Spontaneous breathing
- Intubation (± intermittent extubation)
- Tracheostomy
- ± Intermittent bag masking
- Rigid Bronchoscopy
Note: Cannot use jet ventilation in kids! High risk of pneumothorax
Label the parts of a bronchoscope (Vancouver 471) - 7 pts
- Ventilation holes
- Prism for light source
- Adaptor to connect the ventilation circuit
- Locking mechanism to secure camera
- Extension collar for use with endoscope / bridge
- Endoscope
- 7Fr suction tubing
Regarding CHAOS syndrome, discuss:
1. What is it?
2. What is the pathophysiology - 3
3. List some possible etiologies - 4
3. What are the fetal features - 5
4. What syndrome is this associated with? - 1
5. How is it diagnosed?
5. What is the treatment
CHAOS = Congenital High Airway Obstruction Syndrome
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
1. Laryngeal/tracheal obstruction (partial or complete atresia)
2. Continually produced pulmonary secretions get trapped in lungs
3. Dilated fluid-filled lungs compress heart, push on diaphragm/abdomen
POSSIBLE ETIOLOGIES:
1. Complete laryngeal web / laryngeal atresia
2. Tracheal agenesis
3. Lymphangiomas (anterior compartment)
4. Teratomas (anterior compartment)
FETAL FEATURES: “Fetal PACE”
1. Enlarged echogenic lungs
2. Compressed heart
3. Flattened or inverted diaphragm
4. Abdominal ascites
5. Polyhydramnios
ASSOCIATIONS:
- Fraser Syndrome
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Prenatal: Fetal MRI
- Enlarged and echogenic lungs
- Inverted or flattened diaphragms
- Massive ascites
- Dilated fluid-filled lower airways (tracheobronchial tree)
- Fetal hydrops
- Polyhydramnios
TREATMENT:
1. EXIT procedure
Define the EXIT procedure. How is it performed, describe the steps?
EXIT = Ex-utero intrapartum treatment procedure
Done for babies with airway compression upon delivery
- Partial delivery through a C-section but remain attached by their umbilical cord to the placenta
- Airway is then established via tracheostomy
- The umbilical cord is cut and clamped, then the infant is then fully delivered
Compare features of pediatric vs. adult upper airways. 9 things
Pediatrics have:
1. Larger tongue
2. Relatively hypotonic/floppier tissues
3. Higher, more anterior larynx (at C2 vs. C6 in adults)
4. High, long epiglottis (touches soft palate - therefore infants are obligate nasal breathers)
5. Differently shaped epiglottis - longer, omega shaped
6. Large arytenoids (50% of larynx area vs. 25% in adults) –> obstruction vocal portion of cords
7. Funneled shaped larynx (vs. tube shape of adults)
8. Soft tracheal cartilages
9. Narrowest part of pediatric airway = cricoid cartilage/subglottis until ~8 years (vs. glottis in adults)
What are the age-related anatomical differences in the larynx between infants and adults?
SIZE:
1. Infant larynx 1/3 size of adult larynx
2. Infant VF 4-4.5mm at birth, up to 7-8mm length, adults 14-23mm
3. Half of VF is composed of the vocal process to the arytenoid in infants; vocal process in adults only occupies 1/4-1/3 of the total length of the true VF
4. Subglottis is narrowest part of the airway because of complete cricoid ring
5. Infant subglottis = 4.5-7mm (< 4mm = subglottic stenosis)
QUALITY:
1. Superficial, intermediate, and deep lamina propria of true vocal folds are not differentiated well in young children
2. Infant subglottis is loose tissue
3. Lots of submucosal glands in infant subglottis
LOCATION:
1. Pediatrics have higher and more anterior larynx (C2-4 vs. C5-6)
2. Superior border of the larynx is at the first cervical vertebrae (cricoid at 4th cervical vertebrae)
2. Hyoid overrides superior larynx in pediatrics
3. Thyroid notch is not palpable in kids
4. Epiglottis approximates the dorsal surface of soft palate and contributes to obligate nasal breathing in pediatrics
5. Larynx descends and cricoid rests at the level of the 6th cervical vertebrae (in adults)
6. Epiglottis is omega-shaped, narrower, softer, less stable base, more acute angle between the epiglottis and glottis (allows epiglottis to fall into laryngeal inlet), may contact soft palate
7. Angle of thyroid cartilage changes from 110-120 degrees to 90 degrees (in adolescent males). Adult females are more obtuse like in childhood
What is the physiologic role of the superior larynx in an infant? 3
- Creates an overlap of the epiglottis and velum, increasing a patent nasopharyngeal airway
- Ensures inspired air is humidified (via nose)
- Enables simultaneous suckling and feeding in the infant
At what age does the cricoid no longer become the narrowest segment of the airway?
8 years old
Name 5 reasons why pediatric bronchoscopy is more difficult compared to adults?
- Omega epiglottis
- Oblique thyroid cartilage
- Narrow subglottis
- Large arytenoids
- Smaller diameter
Pretty much can say any of the differences in the airway
What are the different methods of pediatric voice assessment? 4
- Audiotape and videotape recording (speech therapist)
- Parent and child questionnaire (pVHI)
- Fiberoptic laryngoscopy with videostroboscopy
- Spectral voice analysis = multi-dimensional voice program (MDVP)
List a complete differential for infant stridor
A. CONGENITAL
1. Laryngomalacia
2. Laryngocele
3. Saccular cyst
4. Laryngeal web/atresia
5. Subglottic cyst
6. Subglottic stenosis
7. Tracheomalacia
8. Tracheal web/stenosis
9. Vascular anomalies
10. Complete tracheal rings
11. Thymic cyst
B. INFECTIOUS / INFLAMMATION
1. Retropharyngeal abscess
2. Epiglottitis
3. Angioedema
4. Viral laryngotracheobronchitis (croup)
5. Bacterial Tracheitis
6. GERD
C. NEOPLASMS
1. Vascular tumors - hemangiomas, vascular malformations
2. RRP
3. Thyroid tumors
4. Mediastinal tumors
D. TRAUMATIC
1. Birth trauma
2. Intubation trauma - cricoarytenoid dislocation
OTHER
1. Vocal cord immobility
2. Foreign body
3. Laryngeal fracture
What is the common location of stridor based on its pattern:
1. Inspiratory
2. Biphasic
3. Expiratory
Inspiratory = Dynamic supraglottis and glottis
Biphasic = Subglottis and cervical trachea
Expiratory = Fixed itnrathoracic trachea
What is the percentage of laryngeal anomalies with other airway anomaly?
50%
What is the duration of obligate nasal breathing in an infant?
Begins at birth and lasts 6 weeks to 6 months
What are the pertinent points to ask on a pediatric stridor history? 8
- Severity, parents subjective impression
- Progression of obstruction over time
- Eating and feeding difficulties
- Cyanotic spells
- Sleep disordered breathing
- Prematurity
- History of endotracheal intubation
- Aspiration of foreign body
- X-rays for specific abnormality
What are signs of upper airway obstruction? 9
- Stridor - note the phase of respiratory cycle to help locate the etiology
- Dyspnea, tachypnea
- Tachycardia
- Diaphoresis, circumoral pallor, anxiety/restlessness
- Retractions - tracheal tug, suprasternal, intercostal, substernal
- Flaring of nasal ala
- Use of accesesory respiratory muscles
- Cyanosis, in extreme cases
- Respiratory arrest
What are the different types of airway imaging modalities? 8
- Plain soft tissue films of the neck, AP (croup) + lateral (epiglottitis & RPA)
- CXR AP + lateral (FB & tracheal stenosis); Inspiratory & expiratory chest films (FB)
- Airway Fluoroscopy (dynamic, awake & sleep, best for OSA)
- Barium swallow (vascular compression)
- Spiral CT scan with apnea
- MRI of the airway (intrathoracic vascular anomalies & masses)
- Bronchogram (after MRI, if difficult tracheobronchial stenosis)
- Laryngeal U/S
What are the 3 most common causes of congenital laryngeal stridor?
- Laryngomalacia
- Vocal fold paralysis
- Stenosis (subglottic, tracheal)
What 4 pediatric airway abnormalities are improved in the prone position?
- Laryngomalacia
- Pierre-Robin Sequence
- Vascular compression
- Mediastinal mass
“Laryngeal PMV”
What is the differential diagnosis of congenital supraglottic abnormalities? 8
- Laryngomalacia
- Hemangioma
- Lymphatic malformation
- Laryngocele
- Saccular cyst
- Anomalous cuneiform cartilage (4th arch)
- Bifid epiglottis
- Supraglottic web
Regarding Laryngotracheobronchitis (croup), discuss:
1. What is the epidemiology? More common at what age and gender?
2. What is the common organisms? Top 4
3. How is it transmitted? What is the incubation and infectious period?
4. What is the pathophysiology of how kids get group?
5. What is the clinical presentation? Name 3 hallmark symptoms
CROUP = Viral Laryngotracheobronchitis
Most common cause of infectious infant stridor
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
1. 3-5% will have one episode during childhood (usually late autumn or winter)
2. 6 months - 3 years old
3. M > F (2:1)
ORGANISMS:
1. Parainfluenza virus Types 1-3 (most common 80%)
2. Influenza A + B
3. RSV
4. Adenovirus
5. Rare: measles, varicella, HSV, mycoplasma pneumoniae
TRANSMISSION:
1. Direct contact and exposure to nasopharyngeal secretions
2. Airborne droplets over short distances
- Incubation period: 2-6 days for parainfluenza virus type 1
- Infectious period: may shed x 2 weeks
- Symptomatic usually ~5 days - resolution after 2 days most common
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
- Viral infection of nasopharynx –> spreads to larynx and trachea (particularly VF and subglottis –> inflammatory response –> edema)
- Subglottis is limiited by complete cricoid ring, therefore swelling narrows lumen
CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
1. 1-2 days of viral prodrome URTI
2. Hallmark triad signs: Hoarseness, stridor (varying degrees of upper airway obstruction), expiratory component (seal-like barking cough)
3. Critical signs: Cyanosis, retractions, high resp rate, desaturations, biphasic stridor
4. 15% develop bacterial tracheitis superinfection: high fever, toxic
5. Complications: airway obstruction, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, bacterial tracheitis
For croup
6. How is it diagnosed? 2
7. What is the management? List 10 options
8. What are 3 indications for admission?
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Clinical signs and symptoms
2. X-ray: “Steeple sign” of narrowed subglottis on AP X-ray - only 50% have this
3. FNL caution - may exacerbate airway symptoms
TREATMENT (self limited 3-5 days)
1. Home measures: reassurance, limit crying/agitation
2. Cool humidified air - moistens secretions, facilitates expectoration and prevents drying
3. Supplemental oxygen
4. Heliox (helium-oxygen) - reduces airway obstruction by promoting gas flow through partially obstructed airway
5. Saline nebs
6. Epi nebs / racemic epi - monitor for 3-4 hours post (rebound risk) - 0.5mL of 2.25% solution in 3cc NS
7. Steroid nebs
8. Systemic steroids 1-2mg/kg/day divided twice daily for PO; IV 0.15-0.6mg/kg for severe
9. Control airway if severe; ETT: use 1/2-1 size smaller tube than usual; if no air leak after 5-7 days, should inspect airway w/ endoscopy
11. Suspect bacterial superinfection if not resolving/worsening/toxic
INDICATIONS FOR ADMISSION:
1. Initial therapy is ineffective
2. Severe symptoms (e.g. decreased LOC, increased WOB, infants < 6 months)
3. Social circumstances raise concerns about follow up and appropriate access to care
What should you investigate for patients with recurrent croup?
Bronchoscopy r/o subglottic stenosis
What are the 3 features of spasmodic croup?
- Non-infective barky ough
- 1-3 year olds
- Normal during the day, worse at night ± stridor
How do you differentiate subglottic stenosis from subglottic hemangioma?
Clinical: Palpate in OR - hemangioma is compressible
Imaging: MRA
Regarding subglottic hemangiomas, discuss:
- What is the clinical presentation?
- What is the typical location?
- How is it typically diagnosed?
- Treatment options?
CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
1. Often very similar to laryngomalacia presentation
2. Stridor/symptom onset ~6-8 weeks of age, worsen throughout first year of life
TYPICAL LOCATION:
Left posterolateral subglottis
DIAGNOSIS:
1. FNL = May see subglottic lesion (but must distinguish and rule out SGS)
2. OR = palpate (compressible vs. SGS which is not
3. Imaging: MRA
TREATMENT OPTIONS:
A. Medical
1. Propranolol
2. Steroids
3. PPI
4. Vincristine
5. Interferon-alpha
B. Surgical (if very large or failing medical treatment)
1. Laser not recommended (risk of deep scarring)
2. Tracheostomy
3. Anterior laryngofissure, lift mucosal flap, dissect out hemagnioma with bipolar, replace flap - for circumferential or bilateral hemangiomas
Regarding bacterial tracheitis, discuss:
1. Common causes
2. Epidemiology
3. Causative organisms 4
4. Pathophysiology
5. Clinical presentation
6. Diagnosis
7. Treatment and possible complications
COMMON CAUSE: Complication or progression of croup - 15%
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
1. Rare
2. Similar age group & timing to croup
ORGANISMS:
1. Strep
2. Staph (possible MRSA - should treat with Vanco)
3. M. Catarrhalis
4. H. flu
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
1. Starts as croup
2. Edema of VC and subglottis
3. Eventually becomes diffuse mucosal ulceration, pseudomembrane formation –> sloughs into trachea (worsening obstruction) –> purulent exudate throughout tracheobronchial tree
CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
1. Croup prodrome for several days, then rapid onset of tracheitis
2. Rapid onset (hours) –> severe respiratory distress, high fever
3. NO drooling or sore throat (compared to epiglottitis)
4. 50% develop concomitant pneumonia
Suspicion raised for non-resolving croup symptoms to standard croup treatment
DIAGNOSIS
1. Clinical diagnosis
2. X-ray: Obscured appearing tracheal airway on latera caused by sloughed mucosa. Typically normal epiglottis (Figure 201.10 Cummings Chapter 201). Possible steeple sign
3. Endoscopy in OR
TREATMENT:
1. Laryngoscopy/Bronch in OR - suck out exudates/pseudomembranes, get cultures
2. Control Airway
- Intubate in OR (50-90% require intubation)
- Extubate when afebrile, ETT cuff leak)
3. Antibiotics x 14 days: Vancomycin/Ceftriaxone
- Step down to PO once extubated (afebrile, cuff leak, decreased secretions) and cultures known
Complications (possible): Pneumonia
Regarding epiglottitis/supraglottitis, discuss:
1. What is it?
2. Epidemiology
3. Causative organisms
4. Transmission
5. Clinical presentation
6. Diagnosis 2
7. Treatment 3
8. 4 complications
DEFINITION:
- Cellulitiis of the supraglottic structures associated with profound edema, most noticeably of the epiglottis
- As epiglottis enlarged, it curls posteriorly and inferiorly, limiting patency and ease of airway visualization
- Additional mucous can easily lead to complete airway obstruction following this partial occlusion
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
- More rare in H. Flu vaccinated kids
- More common in adults or older kids
- May still occur if immunocompromised (failure to respond to vaccine), HIV+
- Atypical cases seen in Kawasaki disease and posttransplant lymphoprolifierative disorders
ORGANISMS:
1. Invasive H. influenza
2. Strep pneumoniae, GAS, staph, and other H. flu serotypes now more common since vaccine for H. flu introduced
TRANSMISSION:
1. Droplet, contact, airborne, blood-borne
2. Incubation 3 days, symptomatic 3 days, infectious 3 days
CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
1. Rapid onset and progressive over hours: Dysphagia, Drooling, Respiratory distress
2. Toxic and anxious appearing, High fever
4. Shallow respiration, inspiratory stridor, retractions
5. Throat pain –> speech limited because of pain
6. Critical airway signs: Inspiratory stridor, drooliing, tripoding, shallow rapid respirations, retractions, fever, toxic
7. Sudden laryngospasm with aspiration of secretions –> risk of respiratory arrest
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Clinical signs
2. Lateral X-ray (if stable): “Thumbprint sign” of thickened epiglottis
3. FNL (if stable - do NOT irritate toxic child, can trigger respiratory arrest) - thick beefy red epiglottis with exudates
TREATMENT:
1. Keep child calm, minimal intervention/exam
2. Avoid triggering laryngospasm
3. Secure airway
4. Emergency intubation in OR
5. Tracheostomy if unable to intubate
6. Edema usually subsides after 48 hours; extubate when afebriile, cuff leak
7. Antibiotics: 10 day course - broad spectrum with second or third-generation cephalosporin
- IV Ceftriaxone / Clindamycin
- Step down to PO once extubated
8. Steroids debated
COMPLICATIONS:
1. Epiglottic abscess (25%)
2. Bacteremia (90-95%)
3. Pneumonia
4. Cervical adenitis
5. Infectious complications: meningitis, pericarditis, septic arthritis, otitis media
6. Noninfections complications: hypoxia, airway obstruction, post-obstructive pulmonary edema
What is a non-infectious differential for supraglottitis/epiglottitis? 5
- Chemical epiglottitis
- Inhalational/thermal injury
- Angioedema/allergy
- Trauma
- Sarcoid
What is the differential for epiglottic enlargment other than epiglottitis on lateral X-ray? 8
- Angioneurotic edema
- Allergic reaction
- Trauma
- Candida infection
- AE fold cyst
- Sarcoid
- Corrosive ingestion
- Lymphovascular malformation
When do patients get the Hib vaccine and what is its effectiveness?
- 2, 4, 6 months
- Booster 12 to 15 months
- ≥ 95% effectiveness
Compare and contrast:
1. Laryngotracheitis (viral croup)
2. Supraglottitis
3. Bacterial tracheitis
4. Retropharyngeal abscess
With respect to the following:
1. Age
2. Onset
3. Prodrome
4. Fever
5. Hoarseness/Barky cough
6. Dysphagia
7. Toxic appearance
8. Radiographs
CROUP:
1. Age - 6mo-3year
2. Onset - Slow
3. Prodrome - URTI symptoms
4. Fever - Variable or none
5. Hoarseness/Barky cough - Yes
6. Dysphagia - No
7. Toxic appearance - No
8. Radiographs - Subglottic narrowing (steeple sign)
SUPRAGLOTTITIS:
1. Age - 1-8year
2. Onset - Rapid
3. Prodrome - None or mild URTI
4. Fever - High
5. Hoarseness/Barky cough - No
6. Dysphagia - Yes
7. Toxic appearance - Yes
8. Radiographs - Rounded, enlarged epiglottitis
BACTERIAL TRACHEITIS:
1. Age - 6 mo- 8 years
2. Onset - Rapid
3. Prodrome - URTI symptoms
4. Fever - High
5. Hoarseness/Barky cough - Yes
6. Dysphagia - Yes
7. Toxic appearance - Yes
8. Radiographs - Subglottic narrowing; diffuse haziness; tracheal wall irregularities
RETROPHARYNGEAL ABSCESS:
1. Age - 1-5years
2. Onset - Slow
3. Prodrome - URTI symptoms
4. Fever - Usually high
5. Hoarseness/Barky cough - No
6. Dysphagia - Yes
7. Toxic appearance - Variable
8. Radiographs - Widened prevertebral space
NOT IN VANCOUVER
Discuss the Canadian Pediatric Vaccination Schedule
2 + 4 months:
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
- Polio
- H Flu
- Pneumococcal
- Rotavirus
6 months:
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
- Polio
- H Flu
1 year:
- Pneumococcal
- Meningococcal
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
15 months:
- Varicella
18 months:
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
- Polio
- H Flu
4-6 years:
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Varicella
Grade 7:
- Meningococcal
- Hepatitis B
Grade 8:
- HPV
14-16 years:
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
Influenza: every autumn
Kevan Peds Question 108##
Regarding retropharyngeal abscess, discuss:
- Causes - 3 possibilities. Where is the retropharyngeal space?
- Epidemiology - what age is common?
- Organisms - 3
- Clinical presentation
CAUSE:
1. Results from suppuration of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in patients with URTI
2. Kids: Primary infection of retropharyngeal nodes (Rouviere’s nodes) - disappears by 5 years
3. May be due to perforation of pharynx or upper esophagus by a foreign body
4. Adults: Secondary spread from infection of adjacent deep neck spaces
WHERE IS THE RETROPHARYNGEAL SPACE?
- Posterior to the larynx between the middle and deep layers of the deep cervical fascia
- Extends from base of the skull to the mediastinum
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
1. Rare, similar age group at timing to croup (6mos - 3 years)
ORGANISMS:
1. Aerobies (from nasopharynx)
- GAbhS
- Staph (possible MRSA)
- H flu
2. Anaerobies (from mouth)
- Bacteroides
- Peptostreptococcus
- Fusobacterium
CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
1. Progressive worsening sore throat, dysphagia, drooling, stridor
2. Neck stiffness, torticollis, possible neck mass
Retropharyngeal abscess:
1. Diagnosis - 4 criteria
2. Treatment
3. RIsks/Complications - 8
DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS:
1. Clinical signs: May have lateral neck/post-oropharyngeal budge
2. Lateral Neck x-ray (must be extension and inspiratory x-ray, otherwise can be false positive)
- Soft tissue at any C-level > 1/2x the width of its vertebral body is 90% sensitive
- Soft tissue at C2 = > 7mm (all ages)
- Soft tissue at C6 = > 14mm (kids) and > 22mm (adults)
- Loss of lordosis
3. Consider CT to r/o abscess
4. MRI - hypointense on T1, hyperintense on T2
TREATMENT:
1. Control airway if concerned
- Intubate; extubate when afebrile, ETT cuff leak
2. Antibiotics x 14 days
- IV Clindamycin or Ceftriaxone (include anaerobic coverage) + Flagyl
- Step down to PO once extubated and cultures known
3. Surgical drainage of abscess
- Intubate, then transoral I&D in OR
- If mediastinal extent is noted external approach is favoured
RISKS/COMPLICATIONS:
1. Airway obstruction
2. Spontaneous abscess rupture –> aspiration
3. Spread to adjacent spaces –> mediastinitis
4. Pneumonia/chest empyema
5. IJV thrombosis
6. Carotid erosion
7. Atlantoaxial subluxation
8. Sepsis
Regarding Diphtheria-associated pharyngitis, discuss:
1. Definition
2. Incidence/epidemiology
3. Organism and its appearance on histology. What type of media is best? What type of organism is it?
4. Pathophysiology - 2
5. Transmission
6. Clinical presentation - 4 fearures
7. Diagnosis
DEFINITION:
- Complication/progression of croup (15%)
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection that causes an early exudative pharyngotonsillitis with a thick pharyngeal membrane, that produces a lethal exotoxin that can damage distant organ cells
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
1. Rare since vaccine
2. Can occur in immunocompromised patients
3. Diphtheria titres drop with age - 10-year booster recommneded for adults, especially if going to endemic areas (e.g. Africa, India)
ORGANISM:
1. Corynebacterium diphtheriae (gram-positive pleomorphic aerobic bacillus)
- “Chinese character” appearance on Gram stain
- Best identified by culture on tellurite media
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
1. Infections nasopharynx/oropharynx/larynx
2. Toxin mediated tissue necrosis
3. Thick, fibrinous pseudomembrane formation –> can slough and obstruct airway
TRANSMISSION:
1. Droplet, airborne, contact
2. Incubation 2 days, symptomatic 10 days, infectious 14 days
CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
- Croup-like prodrome x 2 days (stridor, hoarseness, barky cough)
- Sore throat, dysphagia
- Thick Pseudomembrane on tonsils/oropharynx –> risk airway obstruction
- “Bull neck” of cervical LN enlargement –> can cause external compression
- Systemic infection
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Clinical signs/symptoms
2. Culture of pseudomembrane
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Dirty_white_pseudomembrane_classically_seen_in_diphtheria_2013-07-06_11-07.jpg/1024px-Dirty_white_pseudomembrane_classically_seen_in_diphtheria_2013-07-06_11-07.jpg
Diphtheria associated pharyngitis
Treatment - 4
How do you know its eradicated?
COmplication - 5
TREATMENT:
1. Secure airway
- Do not intubate outside of controlled circumstance (given risk of membrane sloughing into airway)
- Intubate/tracheostomy in OR
2. Anti-toxin (prevent further systemic damage)
- Does not neutralize toxin alerady bound to tissues
- Ideally within 28 hours of onset
3. Antibiotics (eradicate bug)
- IV Erythromycin and Flagyl, Penicillin G,
- Booster vaccine one resolved
4. Serial ECGs to watch for myocarditis (up to 2 weeks post-infection)
5. Successful eradication = 2 negative cultures after treatment
COMPLICATIONS:
1. Myocarditis –> arrhythmias
2. Neurologic manifestations –> peripheral neuritis –> paralysis
3. Airway obstruction
4. Acute TUbular Necrosis (kidney injury)
5. Thrombocytopenia
What are the complications of EBV (mononucleosis) infection? 7
- Airway obstruction (from tonsillar enlargement)
- Splenomegaly/rupture (avoid contact sports x 6 months)
- Hepatitis
- CNS: meningitis, encephalitis, transverse myelitis
- Guillain-Barre, cranial neuropathies (esp. CN7)
- Hemolytic anemia
- Myocarditis
CASHH MG
How is HSV pharyngitis diagnosed?
Culture from swab of ulcer demonstrating multinucleated cells seen on Tzanck smear
Kevan Gen #55
Compare and contrast the following pharyngitis presentations:
1. Viral Pharyngitis
2. Infectious mononucleosis
3. Group A Strep
4. Diphtheria
with respect to the following categories:
1. Risk factors
2. Onset (rapid vs. slow)
3. Associated symptoms
4. Fever
5. Sore throat severity
6. Dysphagia
7. Odynophagia
8. Toxic appearance
9. Exam findings
10. Diagnostic testing
11. Treatment
VIRAL PHARYNGITIS
1. Risk factors - any
2. Onset (rapid vs. slow) - slow
3. Associated symptoms - rhinorrhea, congestion, hoarseness, ulcers
4. Fever - none or low-grade
5. Sore throat severity - mild to moderate
6. Dysphagia - possible
7. Odynophagia - none
8. Toxic appearance - No
9. Exam findings - Pharyngeal erythema, no exudate, ± tonsil hypertrophy
10. Diagnostic testing - None
11. Treatment - Supportive
INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS
1. Risk factors - Older children
2. Onset (rapid vs. slow) - Variable
3. Associated symptoms - General malaise, headache
4. Fever - High
5. Sore throat severity- MOderate to severe
6. Dysphagia - Yes
7. Odynophagia - Yes
8. Toxic appearance - Sometimes airway obstruction
9. Exam findings - Palatal petechiae, tonsil hypertrophy ± exudate, large tender cervical lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly
10. Diagnostic testing - Heterophile or EBV titres
11. Treatment - Supportive, Ibuprofen, Steroids, Rare airway obstruction
GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS
1. Risk factors - Peak 5-6 years old
2. Onset (rapid vs. slow) - Rapid
3. Associated symptoms - Headache, otalgia, nausea, abdominal pain
4. Fever - High
5. Sore throat severity - Severe
6. Dysphagia - Yes
7. Odynophagia - Yes
8. Toxic appearance - No
9. Exam findings - Palatal petechiae, pharyngeal erythema, tonsil hypertrophy ± exudate, large tender cervical LN, scalariform rash, strawberry tongue
10. Diagnostic testing - Rapid strep or strep culture
11. Treatment - Penicillin or Amoxicillin
DIPHTHERIA
1. Risk factors - Unimmunized
2. Onset (rapid vs. slow) - Rapid
3. Associated symptoms - None
4. Fever - High
5. Sore throat severity - Severe
6. Dysphagia -
7. Odynophagia - Yes
8. Toxic appearance - Yes, severe upper airway obstruction
9. Exam findings - Thick exudate, pharyngeal membrane
10. Diagnostic testing - Culture on tellurite media
11. Treatment - Anti toxin, PenG or Amox
Kevan Peds Question 110
Cummings chapter 201 Table 201.1
What is the typical management approach for Neisseria Gonorrhea pharyngitis?
- Single dose Ceftriaxone / Cefixime
- Always empirically treat concomitant chlamydia (single dose Azithromycin, or Doxycycline x 7 days)
Even if asymptomatic –> highly contagious
List the causative organism and clinical presentation of Herpangina? 3
Causative organisms: Coxsackievirus
Presentation: Small vesicles with erythematous bases that become ulcers and spread over the anterior tonsillar pillars, palate, and posterior pharynx, sometimes associated with cutaneous rash
List the causative organism and clinical presentation of Hand-foot-mouth disease 3
Causative organisms:
1. Coxsackievirus A16
2. Enterovirus 71
Presentation
- High fever and malaise
- Vesicular eruptions in the mouth that cause oral and throat pain
- Maculopapular rash or vesicles on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and buttocks
Highly contagious and should be kept away from other children
List 7 differential etiologies of pseudomembranous tonsillitis
- Epstein Barr Virus (mononucleosis)
- Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus
- Corynebacterium DIphtheriae
- Neisseria Gonorrhaea
- Syphillis
- Vincent’s angina: Acute necrotizing/ulcerating gingivitis/oral infection - gram-negative Fusiformis (“trench mouth”)
- Candidiasis (Albicans)
What is the pathophysiology of RSV pharyngitis?
- Viral presence in nasal cavity –> inflammatory reaction (NOT invasion) of nasal epithelium –> mucosal edema/hyperemia –> extends down into pharynx
Usually self-limited
What are the top 3 congenital laryngeal anomalies?
- Laryngomalacia
- Vocal fold paralysis
- Subglottic stenosis
List a complete differential diagnosis for congenital upper airway obstruction/infantile stridor
A. ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE LARYNX
1. Piriform aperture stenosis
2. Nasolacrimal duct cyst
3. Choanal atresia
4. Nasal glioma encephalocele
5. Midface hypoplasia
6. Retrognathia, micrognathia, glossoptosis
7. Macroglossia
B. LEVEL OF THE LARYNX
1. Laryngomalacia
2. Laryngeal agenesis
3. Laryngeal web
4. Vocal cord paralysis
5. Posterior glottic stenosis
6. Laryngeal cleft
7. Papillomatosis
8. Laryngeal cysts
9. Subglottic hemangioma
10. Subglottic cyst
11. Subglottic stenosis
C. BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE LARYNX
1. Vascular ring/extrinsic tracheal compression
2. Tracheal stenosis
3. Complete tracheal rings
4. Tracheomalacia
5. Laryngotracheoesophageal clefts
6. TEF
What is the most common cause of infant stridor?
Laryngomalacia
What is the most common laryngeal anomaly/disorder?
Laryngomalacia
Regarding laryngomalacia, discuss:
1. Cause
2. Risk Factors - 5
3. Factors influencing development of laryngomalacia - 5
CAUSES:
- Hypotonia of immaturity causes collapse of bulky infantile tissues, causing airway obstruction
RISK FACTORS:
1. Prematurity
2. Hypotonia
3. Neuromuscular disorders
4. GERD (possible aggravator vs sequelae?)
5. Hispanic/Black ethnicity
FACTORS INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT OF LARYNGOMALACIA:
1. Shortened aryepiglottic folds (15%)
2. Anterior collapse of cuneiform cartilage (60%)
3. Posterior epiglottic collapse (10%)
4. Immature neuromuscular control
5. Reflux (60%)
SPIRA
Laryngomalacia:
4. Clinical Presentations
5. Complications/severe signs - 6
6. Diagnostic workup. What % have a synchronous lesion? What are the most common (2) synchronous lesions?
CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
1. Onset 2 weeks to 1 year old
2. Usually self-resolves by 1 year as child grows (median resolution 7-9 months; major 18mos resolved)
3. Inspiratory stridor (may be the only symptom in mild)
4. Worsens with feeding, supine position, with H/N flexed
5. Better with prone, H&N extended, crying (increases pharyngeal tone) - except if severe, then collapse worse with crying
6. Commonly also have GERD symptoms (choking/arching with feeds, reflux) which aggravates airway edema
- Respiration against obstruction increases negative intrathoracic pressure, this increases reflux, which increases swelling, which increases obstruction (perpetuating cycle)
COMPLICATIONS/SEVERE SIGNS (< 5%)
1. Feeding difficulties
2. Apneas/cyanosis
3. Pectus excavatum
4. Cor pulmonale
5. Pulmonary HTN
6. Failure to thrive
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP - FNL findings:
1. Long, tubular, omega-shaped epiglottis
2. Short AE folds
3. Large, floppy arytenoids
4. 15% synchronous lesion (tracheomalacia and SGS most common) contributing to symptoms
- Bronchomalacia, pharyngomalacia, vallecular cyst less common
Describe the classification system for laryngomalacia
OLNEY CLASSIFICATION (1999):
1. Type 1: Anterior collapse of arytenoids
2. Type 2: Shortened aryepiglottic folds
3. Type 3: Prolapsed epiglottis
MECHANISM-BASED:
1. Anterior = epiglottis
2. Posterior = large arytenoids
3. Lateral = AE folds
ANATOMIC (Holinger/Konier) CLASSIFICATION (1989):
I: Inward collapse of AE folds / cuneiform
II: Long, tubular epiglottis folds on itself
III: Anterior, medial collapse of arytenoid cartilages
IV: Posterior displacement/collapse of epiglottis
V: Short AE folds
Discuss 7 overall management options for laryngomalacia.
What are 4 different surgical options?
A. OBSERVATION (if no worrisome signs/complications)
B. CONSERVATIVE
1. Prone positioning
2. Upright feeding
3. Consider NG feeds
4. Thickened feeds
5. Small, frequent feeds
C. MEDICAL
1. PPI - 1mg/kg/day (increase to BID if severe) ± H2 receptor antagonist
2. CPAP
D. SURGICAL (Improves stridor but does not disappear - gets out of “danger zone” to allow them to grow out
1. Rigid bronchoscopy FIRST to rule out any secondary airway lesions
2. Supraglottoplasty options (using cold steel, laser CO2/KTP, or electrocautery)
- Trim epiglottis partially
- Divide AE folds (usually first)
- Trim redundant mucosa from post-surface of arytenoid cartilages (prevent posterior glottic stenosis)
- Removal of cuneiform & corniculate cartilages
3. Epiglottopexy (secure to BOT - “glossoepiglottic adhesion)
4. Tracheostomy
Absolute indications for laryngomalacia surgery? 9
Relative indications? 3
Contraindications? 3
Absolute Indications for Surgery:
1. Failure to improve on conservative/medical management
2. Any of the severe signs/complications
- Cor pulmonale
- pHTN
- Hypoxia
- Apnea
- Recurrent cyanosis
- FTT
- Pectus excavatum
- Stridor with respiratory compromise
- Stridor with significant retractions
Relative Indications for Surgery:
1. Aspiration
2. Difficult to feed, failing medical therapy
3. Weight loss with feeding difficulty
Contraindications for Surgery:
1. Several comorbidities
2. Multi-level airway obstruction
3. Postpone if URTI (reactive airways)
4. Weight and age generally are NOT contraindications
3 indications for trach for laryngomalacia?
Indications for tracheostomy:
1. > 3 comorbidities
2. Severe sleep apnea
3. Worsening symptoms post-revision supraglottoplasty
10 complications of supraglottoplasty
Complications of supraglottoplasty:
1. Bleeding, infection, anesthesia
2. Temporary worsening of airway symptoms secondary to edema
3. Temporary dysphagia
4. Granulation tissue
5. Glottic web formation
6. Aspiration
7. Trauma to surrounding structures
8. Subglottic stenosis
9. Supraglottic stenosis (< 5% if bilateral; preserve islands of mucosa in interarytenoid area)
10. Posterior glottic stenosis
11. Insufficient release (need for further surgery) - 15% if unilateral
12. Worsening obstruction from excessive tissue removal causing massive collapse - “less is more”
How does Laryngopharyngeal reflux different from classic GERD?
- Patients have head and neck symptoms, but heartburn is uncommon
- Predominantly upright (daytime) reflux
- Normal esophageal motility
- Most do not have esophagitis, as in GERD
- Laryngopharyngeal epithelium is more susceptible to reflux related injury than esophageal epithelium
What are the six evaluations for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in pediatrics?
- 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring (Gold Standard)
- Gastric emptying scan (milk scan) technetium 99m
- Esophageal manometry
- Barium swallow
- Broncho-alveolar lavage for lipid laden macrophages (70% needed)
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with Biopsy (EGD, suspected eosinophilic esophagitis)
- Diagnostic markers: pepsin & carbonic
anhydrase isoenzyme III (CA-III) –> acquired from laryngeal biopsy (not yet clinically used)
What are the most common reflux related laryngeal disorders in pediatrics? 7
- Chronic cough
- Hoarseness
- Aspiration
- Recurrent croup
- Laryngomalacia
- Episodic laryngospasm
- Subglottic stenosis
“CHARLES”