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Stridor in asian infants: assessment and treatment
Wong Birgitta Yee-Hang1, Hui Theresa, Lee So-Lun
1Division of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Insights
Stridor in infants, a sign of upper airway obstruction, has diverse causes. This study reviews diagnostic and treatment approaches for infant stridor at a tertiary center.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neonatal Respiratory Medicine
- Airway Management
Background:
- Stridor is a primary symptom of upper airway obstruction in infants, presenting acutely or chronically, congenitally or acquired.
- Pathologies range from the nasal passages to the trachea, encompassing conditions like laryngomalacia, vocal cord palsy, subglottic stenosis, and vascular malformations.
- Accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial for successful management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic and treatment strategies for infant stridor at a tertiary care center.
- To review the causes of stridor in infants undergoing rigid laryngotracheobronchoscopy.
- To discuss management protocols for various pediatric airway conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of infants with stridor undergoing rigid laryngotracheobronchoscopy (2005-2011).
- Assessment utilizing flexible and rigid endoscopy.
- Analysis of treatment outcomes for diverse etiologies.
Main Results:
- Identification of common causes of infant stridor, including congenital and acquired conditions.
- Evaluation of the efficacy of endoscopic assessment in diagnosis.
- Discussion of tailored treatment approaches based on specific pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of infant stridor necessitates a multidisciplinary approach involving ENT surgeons, pediatricians, and anesthesiologists.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are key to improving outcomes for neonates with airway obstruction.
- A structured diagnostic and treatment pathway is essential in a tertiary care setting.
Abstract:
Stridor is the main symptom of upper airway obstruction in infants. It can be congenital or acquired, acute or chronic. Pathologies can be located from the nose down to the trachea. Common causes include laryngomalacia, vocal cord palsy, subglottic stenosis, tracheal anomaly, laryngeal cleft, vascular and lymphatic malformation, laryngeal papillomas, craniofacial abnormalities and even head and neck tumours. In this paper, we will discuss our approach to infants with stridor including assessment with flexible and rigid endoscopy and treatments to various conditions in a tertiary centre. Causes of stridor in infants undergoing rigid laryngotracheobronchoscopy in Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre between 2005 and 2011 will be retrospectively reviewed. Treatments according to various conditions will be discussed. Successful management of these neonates requires accurate diagnosis, early intervention, and multidisciplinary care by ENT surgeons, paediatricians, and paediatric anaesthetists.
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