Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 28, 2025
The Rigid Tube as an Alternative in Controlling the Problematic Airway
Published on: June 6, 2020
A subglottic foreign body mimicking croup: A case report
Hong Chan Kim1, Chung Man Sung2, Hyung Chae Yang2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun.
Insights
Foreign body aspiration in infants can mimic croup. If an infant with suspected croup does not improve with treatment, further evaluation for a foreign body is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Foreign body (FB) aspiration is a dangerous cause of respiratory distress in infants.
- Diagnosis is challenging due to varied symptoms based on airway obstruction and FB location.
Observation:
- An 11-month-old infant presented with sudden cough and inspiratory stridor, initially suspected as croup.
- The infant showed no improvement after a 4-day course of croup treatment.
Findings:
- Flexible laryngoscopy revealed a sharp foreign body lodged in the subglottic region.
- Emergency surgery successfully removed the foreign body, with complete laryngeal healing within one week.
Implications:
- Consider foreign body aspiration in infants presenting with croup-like symptoms.
- Lack of response to croup treatment warrants further investigation for airway foreign bodies.
Introduction:
Foreign body (FB) aspiration is one of the causes of respiratory distress in infants is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening event. The diagnosis of FB aspiration is difficult because the signs and symptoms vary according to the degree of airway blockage or location of the FB.
Patient Concerns:
An 11-month-old female infant visited a hospital because of a sudden onset cough. She was relatively healthy without fever, rhinorrhea cyanosis, or poor feeding. On physical examination, auscultation revealed inspiratory stridor without wheezing and crackles.
Diagnosis:
Croup was suspected when considering the history, physical examination, and imaging. However, she did not respond to a 4-day course of treatment for croup. Flexible laryngoscopic examination was performed, and we identified a thin, flat, and sharp FB embedded in the subglottic region.
Interventions:
Emergency surgery was performed to remove the FB. Short-term intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics were used to prevent laryngeal swelling and aspiration pneumonia.
Outcomes:
One week after the procedure, the laryngeal mucosa had completely healed.
Conclusion:
FB aspiration should be considered in an infant with an impression of croup. In particular, if there is no response to medical or conservative treatment for croup, further evaluation is needed.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
01:22Trachea
Anatomical Features:
Location: About half of the trachea is situated in the neck, anterior to the esophagus, and extends from the larynx (at the level of...
01:31Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
01:21Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
01:25Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...