Stridor

This page is for adult patients. For pediatric patients, see: stridor (peds).

Background

  • Stridor refers to harsh upper airway sounds, classically inspiratory

Clinical Features

  • Inspiratory stridor
  • Expiratory stridor vs. wheezing
    • Suggestive of intrathoracic obstruction (Pressuretrach < Pressurepleura)
    • Asthma

Differential Diagnosis

Stridor

Trauma

Infectious Disorders

Abscesses

Neoplastic Disorders

  • Neoplasms/tumors

Allergic and Auto-Immune Disorders

  • Spasmodic/tracheobronchitis
  • Angioedema/Angioneurotic edema

Metabolic, Storage Disorders

  • Cerebral Gaucher's of infants (acute)
  • Tracheobronchial amyloidosis

Biochemical Disorders

Congenital, Developmental Disorders

Psychiatric Disorders

  • Somatization disorder

Anatomical or Mechanical

Vegetative, Autonomic, Endocrine Disorders

Poisoning

Chronic Pediatric Conditions

Evaluation

Management

  • Treat underlying cause

Disposition

  • Based on underlying cause

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Vocal Cord Dysfunction on Internet Book of Critical Care https://emcrit.org/ibcc/vcd/
  2. Ernst A, Feller-Kopman D, Becker HD, Mehta AC. Central airway obstruction. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2004