Throat Conditions Flashcards
Stridor: Definition
Noisy breathing
> > symptom not diagnosis
caused by partial obstruction of respiratory tract at or below the larynx
Stridor: Signs
High pitched
Whistle-like sounds
Most noticeable on inspiration
> > RED FLAG
Stridor: Children Differential Diagnosis
Croup-
» laryngotracheobronchitis
» viral infection
» barking cough
» low fever
» most common in 6months - 2yrs
Inhaled foreign body
Anaphylaxis-
» severe allergic reaction
Epiglotitis-
» inflammation of epiglottis
» caused by bacteria H. influenza type B
Congenital-
» laryngomalacia- larynx doesn’t fully form
Stridor: Adult Differential Diagnosis
Trauma
Anaphylaxis
Laryngitis»_space; inflammation of larynx
Epiglottitis
Laryngeal tumour
Iatrogenic»_space; medical intervention is cause
» bronchoscopy, prolonged intubation, neck surger
Epiglottitis: Definition
Inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis
> > epiglottis is flap of cartilage that protects trachea (wind pipe)
potentially life threatening
Epiglottitis: Aetiology
Infection-
» most common: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
» Streptococcus pneumoniae
» Streptococcus A/B/C
» Staphylococcus aureus
Trauma-
» chemical or thermal burn
» foreign object
Epiglottitis: Risk Factors
Male
Unvaccinated»_space; against Hib or others
Immunocompromised
Epiglottitis: Symptoms and Signs
Children-
» acute, fever, sore throat, stridor, odynophagia (painful swallowing), drooling, anxious and restless
Adults-
» progressive, fever, sore throat, muffled/hoarse voice, stridor, dyspnoea (shortness of breath), drooling
Epiglottitis: Investigations
Clinical diagnosis
Laryngoscopy
Lateral neck x-ray»_space; look for ‘thumbprint sign’
> > avoid stimulating activities
could cause complete obstruction of airways
Epiglottitis: Manegment
Airway emergency»_space; call 999 if at GP
A&E»_space; immediate airway management, bleep ENT, oxygen, IV antibiotics
Head and Neck Cancer: Definition
Cancer of paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, oral cavity, salivary glands, larynx, pharynx
Head and Neck Cancer: Risk Factors
Smoking
Chewing tobacco
Alcohol
Human Papilova Virus (HPV 16)»_space; base of tongue and tonsil
Diet»_space; salt cured fish
Exposure to chemicals»_space; formaldehyde
Pre-cancerous conditions»_space; leukoplakia
Head and Neck Cancer: Symptoms and Signs
Dependent upon site of cancer
General symptoms
» localised pain
» localised swelling
»_space; difficulty breathing
» bleeding (especially unilateral)
» changes to eating or speaking
» lymphadenopathy- swelling of lymph nodes
Head and Neck Cancer: Investigation
Dependent upon site
Ultrasound of neck
Nasoendoscopy
Laryngoscopy
MRI or CT scan head/sinuses/neck
Biopsy
Head and Neck Cancer: Management
Referral for laryngeal cancer-
» patient is over 45
» hoarseness
» neck mass
Referral for oral cancer-
» oral ulcer for more than 3 weeks
» persistent neck mass
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Immunotherapy
Tonsillitis: Definition
Inflammation of the palatine tonsils
Tonsillitis: Epidemiology
Very common condition»_space; most common in ages 5-15
Tonsillitis: Aetiology
Viral-
» influenza
» parainfluenza
» EBV
» HIV
Bacterial-
» group A streptococcus (GAS)
» Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Tonsillitis: Symptoms
Sore throat»_space; acute/bacteria – progressive/viral
Odynophagia
Headache
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Cough»_space; viral
Rhinorrhoea»_space; viral
Tonsillitis: Signs
Fever
Tonsillar exudate»_space; clear or white/viral – white/yellow, foul odour/bacterial
Tonsillar hypertrophy»_space; enlargement
Tonsillar erythema
Cervical lymphadenopathy»_space; anterior/GAS – posterior/EBV
Tonsillitis: Investigation
Clinical diagnosis
» Centor criteria: fever >38c, tonsillar exudate, no cough, tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy»_space; score > 3 = GAS
» FeverPAIN: fever >38c, purulent tonsillar exudate, no cough, symptom onset <3 days, inflammed tonsils»_space; score 4/5 = 62-65% GAS
Throat culture»_space; definitive diagnosis
Serum HIV PCR»_space; for HIV
Serum heterophile antibodies»_space; glandular fever
Tonsillitis: Management
Supportive care-
» paracetamol
» fluids
» topical lidocaine»_space; topical pain relief
» throat lozenges
Antibiotics-
» only if Centor and feverPAIN criteria reached
» 1st line: phenoxymethylpenicillin
» 2nd line: clarithromycin
» Erythromycin for pregnant
REFER TO NICE GUIDELINES
Tonsillitis: Complications
Group A Streptococcus complications-
Scarlet fever-
» scarlatina rash
» strawberry tongue
» deep erythema
Rheumatic fever-
» autoimmune response to unresolved GAS infection
» affects joints, heart, brain, skin
Quinsy: Definition
Peritonsillar abscess
» abscess between wall of tonsil and pharynx
» pontential of airway compromise
Abscess: build up of pus
Quinsy: Symptoms
Unilateral throat pain
Dysphagia»_space; difficulty swallowing
Odynophagia»_space; painful swallowing
Unilateral otalgia»_space; ear pain
Drooling
Quinsy: Signs
Fever
Erythematous, oedematous tonsil with contralateral uvular deviation
Tonsillar exudate
Trismus»_space; unable to open mouth
Muffled “hot potato” voice
Cervical lymphadenopathy