An Unusual Cause for Intermittent Stridor and Dysphagia in an Infant
Sydney E Ryan, Larissa Beyerlein1, Justin H Lee
1Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Insights
Stridor in infants is often caused by common conditions like laryngomalacia. For atypical cases, neck X-rays and sometimes bronchoscopy help diagnose the cause of this upper airway noise.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
Background:
- Stridor, a high-pitched breathing sound, is a frequent symptom in young children.
- It results from turbulent airflow in the upper airway or trachea.
- Common causes in infants (<12 months) include laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, croup, foreign body aspiration, and retropharyngeal abscess.
Observation:
- Atypical presentations of stridor may require advanced diagnostic imaging.
- Soft tissue neck radiographs are a valuable tool for identifying the cause of stridor when the presentation is unusual.
Findings:
- Radiographic evaluation can aid in determining the etiology of stridor.
- In some cases, bronchoscopy may be necessary for definitive diagnosis and treatment planning.
Implications:
- Early and accurate diagnosis of stridor is crucial for appropriate management in pediatric patients.
- Utilizing imaging like neck radiographs can guide further interventions, potentially avoiding more invasive procedures.
Abstract:
Stridor is a common presenting symptom in young children and is produced by turbulent flow through the upper airway or trachea. In children under 12 months of age, stridor is commonly caused by laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, croup, airway foreign body, and/or retropharyngeal abscess. In atypical presentations of stridor, soft tissue neck radiographs can be helpful to determine the underlying etiology. Occasionally, children will require bronchoscopy to determine the etiology and treatment.
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