Stridor, anaphylaxis & sleep apnoea Flashcards
Define what stridor is
This is a predominantly inspiratory wheeze due to large airways (larynx/trachea/major bronchi) obstruction
List the main causes of stridor in children
- Laryngomalacia
- Inhaled foreign bodies
- Infections - croup, epiglottitis, retropharyngeal abscess, siptheria, infectious mononucleosis (IM)
- Anaphylaxis
- Trauma e.g. burns
List the main causes of stridor in adults
- Neoplasms - of the larynx, trachea or main bronchi
- Anaphylaxis
- Goitre (retrosternal)
- Foreign body
- Trauma (eg strangulation, burns, irritant gases)
- Other (eg bilateral vocal cord palsy; Wegener’s granulomatosis; cricoarytenoid arthritis (RA); tracheopathia
What is the most common foreign body which gets stuck in the airways ?
Peanuts
What age of child is most at risk of airway obstruction from a foregin body ?
Children < 3
What are the clinical features of an inhaled foreign body ?
Acute onset accompanied by a chocking spell:
- cough
- stridor
- dyspnoea
What investigations should be done in someone suspected of having inhaled a foreign body ?
CXR & airway films
Describe what laryngomalacia is
It is a congenital softening of the tissues of the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords. This is the most common cause of noisy breathing in infancy.
How does laryngomalacia typically present and when?
Infants typical present at 4 weeks of age with stridor
Is laryngomalacia a serious condition ?
- In most cases, laryngomalacia in infants is not a serious condition — they have noisy breathing, but are able to eat and grow.
- It will resolve for these cases by about 18-20months old
What is a retropharyngeal abscess ?
It is an abscess located in the tissues in the back of the throat behind the posterior pharyngeal wall (the retropharyngeal space).
What are the signs/symptoms of a retropharyngeal abscess ?
- Stiff neck (limited neck mobility or torticollis)
- Some form of palpable neck pain (may be in “front of the neck” or around the Adam’s Apple)
- Malaise
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Stridor
- Drooling
- Croup-like cough
- Enlarged cervical lymph nodes
What is the difference in ages groups that retropharyngeal abscesses occur compared to a peritonsillar abscess ?
Peritonsillar occur commonly in adolescents and young adults whereas retropharyngeal abscesses occur mainly in children < 5 years of age
How is a retropharyngeal abscess diagnosed ?
- 1st line = lateral neck X-ray
- 2nd line = CT
What is the treatment of a retropharyngeal abscess ?
IV antibiotics & surgical drainage
What investigations may be done in someone presenting with stridor ?
- Laryngoscopy (beware in acute epiglottitis)
- Bronchoscopy
- Flow volume loop
- Chest X ray
- Other imaging (CT; thyroid scan)
What is the treatment of laryngeal obstruction ?
- Treat underlying cause eg foreign body removal, anaphylaxis
- Mask bag ventilation with high flow O2
- Cricothyroidotomy
- Tracheostomy
What manoeuvre is used to attempt to dislodge a inhaled foreign body ?
Heimlich manoeuvre - Rapid upward thrust in epigastrium forces upward movement of diaphragm and forced expiration
Define what anaphylaxis is
- It is a severe, life-threatening, generalised or systemic hypersensitivity reaction.
- Resulting in angioedema causing respiratroy compromise followed by cardiovascular collapse (shock). Often with urticaria
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is anaphylaxis ?
Type 1 (immediate) hypersensitivity (IgE)