The Airway

Question 1

What is stertor?

Answer 1

Snoring type of noisy inspiratory sound caused by partial obstruction of the upper airway above the larynx - in people who are deeply unconscious

Question 2

What is stridor?

Answer 2

Noise heard on inspiration when the trachea or larynx are obstructured. Often higher pitched

Question 3

Presentation of acute epiglottitis?

Answer 3

Usually 2-7 yr old
Bacterial infection
Septic/pyrexial (>38*C)
Leaning forward and drooling
Classical tripod position

Question 4

Causes of acute epiglottitis?

Answer 4

Bacterial

• H influezae type B
• Staphylococci
• B-haemolytic Streptococci
• Pneumococci

Question 5

What ‘sounds’ are heard in croup?

Answer 5

Stridor (common cause of it)

Harsh cough - barking which is subglottic

Question 6

What causes croup?

Answer 6

Initial viral throat infection

• parainfluenza
• influenza A/B

Question 7

What causes the narrowing in croup and of what?

Answer 7

Mucosal inflammation
Infective oedema
Narrows the subglottis most commonly

Question 8

Management of croup?

Answer 8

Mild
-home with oral antibiotics and steam inhalation

Mod-severe

• oral and nebulised steroids
• humidified O2

Question 9

What is the leading cause of death in 1-3 yr olds?

Answer 9

Inhalation of a foreign body

Question 10

What may be seen on a chest X-ray where there is a foreign body?

Answer 10

Opaque foreign body
Segmental/lobar collapse
Localised emphysema
Air trapping

Question 11

Management of inhalation of a foreign body?

Answer 11

Bronchoscopy

Question 12

What is laryngomalaceia?

Answer 12

When the soft cartilage in the larynx of a young child collapses inwards during inhalation, causing airway obstruction and stridor - very common