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02:34
Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: May 10, 2024
Rare causes of persistent wheeze that mimic poorly controlled asthma
Matshediso Constantia Mokoka1, Khalil Ullah, David R Curran
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
BMJ Case Reports
|September 28, 2013
Summary
Upper airway obstruction can mimic asthma, leading to misdiagnosis. Recognizing stridor and wheeze as potential signs of upper airway issues is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Otolaryngology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Upper airway obstruction (UAO) can present with symptoms like stridor or wheezing, often mistaken for lower airway diseases such as asthma.
- The prevalence of asthma means that UAO cases may be overlooked in primary care and respiratory clinics.
Observation:
- This study highlights four distinct causes of UAO: paradoxical vocal cord movement, subglottic stenosis, retrosternal goitre, and double aortic arch.
- These conditions were initially misdiagnosed as 'poorly controlled asthma' in the described cases.
Findings:
- UAO symptoms, including stridor and wheeze, can be erroneously attributed to asthma.
- A high index of suspicion for UAO is necessary, especially when asthma treatments are ineffective.
Implications:
- Accurate differentiation between UAO and asthma is vital for appropriate patient management and to avoid delayed diagnosis.
- Clinicians should consider UAO in patients presenting with persistent or unexplained wheezing or stridor, even those with a history of asthma.
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