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El estridor en niños es un síntoma que puede indicar una obstrucción en la vía aérea, siendo esencial comprender sus características y evolución. Este artículo destaca la importancia de la anamnesis detallada, la evaluación clínica y los estudios instrumentales para diagnosticar y tratar eficazmente las causas subyacentes del estridor. Se discuten las características del estridor, los signos de gravedad y los pasos para una evaluación adecuada, incluyendo la nasofaringolaringoscopía flexible y la laringotraqueobroncoscopía. Se concluye que una evaluación integral es fundamental para abordar el estridor en niños de manera óptima.

Stridor in children is a symptom that may indicate an obstruction in the airway, and it is essential to understand its characteristics and evolution. This article highlights the importance of a detailed history, clinical evaluation, and instrumental studies in effectively diagnosing and treating the underlying causes of stridor. The characteristics of stridor, signs of severity, and steps for proper evaluation, including flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy and laryngotracheobronchoscopy, are discussed. It concludes that a comprehensive evaluation is essential to address stridor in children optimally.

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Introducción: La parálisis cordal bilateral en aducción es la segunda causa de estridor congénito y genera una grave obstrucción de la vía aérea, debutando con estridor. La traqueotomía ha sido durante mucho tiempo el gold estándar para el tratamiento de esta afección, no exenta de complicaciones. Existen procedimientos que intentan evitar la traqueotomía, como el split cricoideo anterior posterior endoscópico (SCAPE). Objetivo: Presentar experiencia con SCAPE en pacientes pediátricos como tratamiento alternativo de parálisis cordal bilateral en aducción. Material y Método: Análisis retrospectivo de los resultados quirúrgicos obtenidos en pacientes con parálisis cordal bilateral en aducción tratados con SCAPE entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2019 en el Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente de Concepción, Chile. Resultados: Siete pacientes se sometieron a SCAPE. Todos los pacientes presentaban insuficiencia respiratoria severa, cinco requirieron asistencia ventilatoria mecánica. Seis pacientes tenían el diagnóstico de parálisis cordal bilateral (PCB) congénita y uno PCB secundaria a tumor de tronco cerebral. Cuatro pacientes presentaron comorbilidad de la vía aérea: dos pacientes presentaron estenosis subglótica grado I y dos pacientes presentaron laringomalacia que requirió manejo quirúrgico. Los días promedio de intubación fueron once días. Ningún paciente requirió soporte ventilatorio postoperatorio, sólo un paciente recibió oxigenoterapia nocturna debido a hipoventilación secundaria a lesión de tronco. Ningún paciente ha presentado descompensación respiratoria grave. Un 40% ha recuperado movilidad cordal bilateral. Conclusión: Split cricoideo anteroposterior endoscópico es una alternativa eficaz para tratar el PCB en pacientes pediátricos. Nuestro estudio evidencia que es una alternativa a la traqueotomía, con excelentes resultados y menor morbimortalidad.

Introduction: Bilateral vocal fold paralysis in adduction is the second cause of congenital stridor and generates a serious obstruction of the airway. Tracheostomy has long been the gold standard for the treatment of this condition, but it has inherent complications. There are procedures that try to avoid tracheotomy, such as the endoscopic anterior posterior cricoid split (EAPCS). Aim: Present our experience with EAPCS in pediatric patients as a treatment for bilateral vocal fold paralysis in adduction. Material and Method: Retrospective analysis of the surgical results obtained in patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis in adduction treated with EAPCS between January 2016 and December 2019 at Guillermo Grant Benavente Hospital in Concepción, Chile. Results: Seven patients underwent EAPCS. All patients had severe respiratory failure, five required mechanical ventilation assistance. Six patients were diagnosed with congenital bilateral cord palsy (BCP) and one BCP secondary to a brainstem tumor. Four patients had airway comorbidity: two patients had grade I subglottic stenosis and two patients had laryngomalacia that required surgical management. The average days of intubation were eleven days. No patient required post op invasive/non-invasive ventilation, only one patient received nocturnal oxygen therapy due to hypoventilation secondary to trunk injury. None of the patients has presented severe respiratory decompensation. Forty percent have recovered bilateral chordal mobility. Conclusion: SCAPE is a cutting-edge and effective alternative to treat PCB in pediatric patients. Our study shows that it is an alternative to tracheotomy, with excellent results and lower morbidity and mortality.

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El enfrentamiento de estridor en el Servicio de Urgencias puede ser un desafío para el clínico. La mayoría de los pacientes responderán a medidas estándar de anafilaxia, no obstante, ante pacientes refractarios a tratamiento se deben sospechar otras patologías. Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente refractaria a manejo de anafilaxia. Se realiza videolaringoscopía que identifica quiste de vallécula y se maneja mediante protección de vía aérea con intubación orotraqueal. Se decide escisión quirúrgica, en la cual se identifica estenosis subglótica que requiere instalación de traqueostomía. La paciente evoluciona favorablemente y es dada de alta.

Coping with stridor in the Emergency Department can challenge the clinician. Most patients respond to standard anaphylaxis measures. The clinician should suspect other differential diagnoses when patients are refractory to treatment. We present the clinical case of a patient refractory to standard anaphylaxis management. A video laryngoscopy was performed, identifying a vallecula cyst. We secured the airway through orotracheal intubation. The surgical team of our hospital performed a surgical excision of the cyst and identified subglottic stenosis, which required the installation of a tracheostomy. The patient evolved favorably in the postoperative period and was discharged.

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El estridor corresponde a un signo altamente frecuente, sin embargo, es heterogéneo e inespecífico. Existen múltiples causas conocidas y manejadas por el otorrinolaringólogo. Los quistes subglóticos constituyen una entidad infrecuente de estridor en pediatría, siendo la población más frecuentemente afectada, niños con antecedentes de prematurez e intubación por períodos prolongados. Su manifestación clínica es variada, desde cuadros asintomáticos a pacientes con riesgo inminente de pérdida de la vía aérea. El diagnóstico suele ser tras largos períodos desde el antecedente de intubación. Su resolución suele ser quirúrgica, teniendo como principal complicación asociada la estenosis subglótica y las recurrencias. Se presenta el caso de una preescolar con un episodio de estridor y distrés respiratorio rápidamente progresivos, cuyo diagnóstico intraoperatorio resultó en quistes subglóticos submucosos bilaterales, que requirieron resolución quirúrgica.

Stridor corresponds to a highly frequent sign; however, it is heterogeneous and nonspecific. There are multiple causes that are widely known and managed by the otorhinolaryngolo-gist. Subglottic cysts are an infrequent entity of stridor in pediatric patients, where the most frequently affected population are childrens with history of prematurity and intubation for long periods. It's clinical manifestations are wide, from asymptomatic cases to patients with imminent risk of airway loss. Their manifestation its often after long periods after the moment of intubation. The management often involves surgery, and the main associated complication is subglottic stenosis and recurrences. We present the case of a preschool girl with an episode of rapidly progressive stridor and respiratory distress; whose intraoperative diagnosis was bilateral subglottic submucosal cysts that required surgical resolution.

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La laringe se localiza en la encrucijada aerodigestiva; cualquier patología que la comprometa tendrá repercusión en la respiración, la deglución y/o la voz. Se divide en tres regiones: la supraglotis (comprende la epiglotis, las bandas ventriculares y los ventrículos laríngeos), la glotis (espacio limitado por las cuerdas vocales) y la subglotis (zona más estrecha de la vía aérea pediátrica y único punto rodeado en su totalidad por cartílago: el anillo cricoides). La obstrucción laríngea se puede presentar como una condición aguda potencialmente fatal o como un proceso crónico. El síntoma principal es el estridor inspiratorio o bifásico. La etiología varía mucho según la edad y puede ser de origen congénito, inflamatorio, infeccioso, traumático, neoplásico o iatrogénico. Se describen las patologías que ocasionan obstrucción laríngea con más frecuencia o que revisten importancia por su gravedad, sus síntomas orientadores para el diagnóstico presuntivo, los estudios complementarios y el tratamiento.

The larynx is at the aerodigestive crossroads; any pathology that involves it will have an impact on breathing, swallowing and/or the voice. It`s divided into three regions: supraglottis (includes epiglottis, ventricular bands and laryngeal ventricles), glottis (space limited by the vocal cords) and subglottis (narrowest area of pediatric airway and the only point of larynx completely surrounded by cartilage: the cricoid ring). Laryngeal obstruction can present as a potentially fatal acute condition or as a chronic process. The main symptom is inspiratory or biphasic stridor. The etiology varies widely according to age and it may be of congenital, inflammatory, infectious, traumatic, neoplastic or iatrogenic origin. We describe the pathologies that cause laryngeal obstruction, either those that occur very often or those which are important for their severity, their guiding symptoms to the presumptive diagnosis, additional studies and treatment.

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Background: Laryngeal paralysis is a disorder that affects the movement of the arytenoid cartilages, creating an obstacle to the passage of air during inspiration. The disease is progressive and clinical signs are associated with upper airway obstruction. Diagnosis occurs through observation of laryngeal movements, and it is important to rule out concomitant diseases. In severely affected animals, surgery is recommended to alleviate clinical signs and improve quality of life. The aim of this report is to report a case of idiopathic laryngeal paralysis in a dog submitted to arytenoid unilateralization to clear the upper airways and evaluate the effectiveness of the technique. Case: A 5-year-old male Great Dane dog was referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias (HCV) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) with severe respiratory distress and respiratory stridor. The animal was taken directly to the emergency room, where it was promptly submitted to oxygen therapy with the aid of a mask, was medicated with nalbuphine hydrochloride 0.3 mg/kg intramuscularly and venous access was performed. After stabilization, complete blood count, biochemical profile, blood gas analysis and chest X-ray were requested. In the anamnesis, the tutor reported that the dog showed signs of fatigue with exercise intolerance, coughing similar to choking, breathing difficulties and noisy breathing, especially on hotter days and in situations of exertion, stress or euphoria. He mentioned that the signs were progressive, having started 2 months ago and that they were more frequent and lasting. The patient was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis through transoral laryngoscopy and referred to surgery. The improvement in the breathing pattern and the absence of post-surgical complications resulted in the patient being discharged 6 days after hospitalization. Discussion: When the origin of laryngeal paralysis (LP) is undefined, the acquired form may be a consequence of generalized polyneuropathy, polymyopathy, neoplasia, endocrinopathy, iatrogenic or idiopathic injury. The patient under study did not present clinical signs or history of disease, therefore, the case was classified as idiopathic in origin. Laryngeal paralysis of unknown cause is the most common and affects mainly middle-aged to elderly males, large or giant breeds. The disease is often described in Labrador Retriever dogs, but it can affect other breeds such as Great Dane. This information corroborates the profile of the patient in this study. Although oral laryngoscopy is the recommended method for confirming the diagnosis in dogs with characteristic signs of LP, the diagnosis can also be obtained by transnasal laryngoscopy or echolaryngography, however, previous studies have shown that the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis through echoaryngography is inferior to transnasal laryngoscopy, suggesting that direct visualization of the larynx is better to indirect visualization. Dogs with signs of moderate to severe respiratory distress or whose quality of life is affected as a result of LP are candidates for surgical treatment, as in this case, in which the patient had exercise intolerance and severe respiratory distress. The arytenoid unilateralization procedure proved to be effective in improving the quality of life of the patient under study, achieving excellent postoperative results and approval by the tutor. In this case, transoral laryngoscopy was essential to determine the diagnosis and establish the treatment. Although the goal of improving quality of life has been achieved without major complications, the animal must receive long-term follow-up due to a possible correlation with generalized polyneuropathy and long-term complications.

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Resumen Los quistes laríngeos, y en particular los quistes de vallécula, son una entidad infrecuente en la práctica clínica habitual. Sin embargo, su localización y aparición en neonatos y lactantes, pueden suponer una causa reconocida de estridor y obstrucción de vía aérea superior que, si no es diagnosticada y tratada de forma precoz, puede tener consecuencias fatales. Presentamos el caso de un lactante que presenta estridor inspiratorio. Se realiza una nasofibrolaringoscopía observándose una formación quística en la vallécula, y una ecografía cervical que muestra dicha formación quística sugerente de un quiste del conducto tirogloso como primera posibilidad etiológica. Ante estos hallazgos, se solicitan pruebas tiroideas y una gammagrafía que son normales, por lo que se decide intervenir al paciente bajo laringoscopia en suspensión, realizando una marsupialización del quiste, sin complicaciones posteriores. El análisis histopatológico posterior confirmó el diagnóstico de un quiste de vallécula. Se debe considerar esta patología en los casos de estridor inspiratorio en lactantes ya que, aunque es infrecuente, su diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento adecuado son determinantes.

Abstract Laryngeal cysts, and especially vallecular cysts, are a rare entity in everyday clinical practice. Nevertheless, their location and the fact that they appear in newborns and infants, must be recognized as a cause of stridor and upper airway obstruction, since their misdiagnosis and late treatment can have fatal consequences. We present the case of an infant with inspiratory stridor. We performed a nasofibrolaryngoscopy where a vallecular cystic lesion was observed, and a neck ultrasound showed a cyst, described as a thyroglossal duct cyst, as the main etiology. Thyroid function tests and a gammagraphy, were both normal, hence the patient underwent a suspension microlaryngoscopy and marsupialization of the cyst, without further complications. The histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a vallecular cyst. This entity must be considered in infants with inspiratory stridor. Although it is a rare lesion, its early diagnosis and adequate management is crucial.

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El estridor es un ruido respiratorio anormal generado por obstrucción o colapso de la vía aérea laringotraqueal, de manera aguda o de evolución crónica. Existen distintas causas tanto congénitas como adquiridas capaces de producir dificultad respiratoria, que puede llegar a ser grave y con potencial riesgo vital. El diagnóstico clínico del paciente con estridor persistente debe ser complementado con un estudio endoscópico de la vía aérea y en ocasiones con imágenes, para intentar determinar el o los sitios comprometidos y posibles malformaciones asociadas. La indicación de tratamiento debe ser individualizada, considerando el estado general del paciente, las etiologías responsables, el im pacto sobre la respiración y la deglución, el pronóstico y la capacidad técnica del equipo tratante, entre otras. Las alternativas pueden incluir observación, medidas no farmacológicas, medicamentos locales o sistémicos, procedimientos endoscópicos, cirugías abiertas, o bien la instalación de una traqueostomía de manera temporal o como manejo definitivo. El objetivo de esta revisión es entregar un adecuado conocimiento de la fisiopatología y la etiopatogenia del estridor pediátrico persistente, fundamental para el correcto manejo de estos pacientes complejos, que debiera realizarse idealmente en un contexto multidisciplinario.

Stridor is an abnormal respiratory sound caused by obstruction or collapse of the laryngotracheal airway, either acutely or chronically. There are different causes, both congenital and acquired, that can produce shortness of breath which may be severe and potentially life-threatening. The clini cal diagnosis must be complemented with an endoscopic airway assessment and sometimes with imaging, to try to determine the areas involved and possible associated malformations. Treatment should be individualized, considering the patient's overall condition, stridor etiology, its impact on breathing and swallowing, prognosis, and technical capacity of the managing team, among others. Alternatives may include observation, non-pharmacological measures, local or systemic medications, endoscopic and open surgeries, or a temporary or long-term tracheostomy. A thorough understan ding of the pathophysiology and etiopathogenesis of persistent pediatric stridor is essential for the correct management of these complex patients, ideally in a multidisciplinary manner.

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Abstract Objective To assess the accuracy of stridor in comparison to endoscopic examination for diagnosis of pediatric post-intubation subglottic stenosis. Method Children who required endotracheal intubation for >24 h were included in this prospective cohort study. Children were monitored daily and underwent flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy after extubation. Those with moderate-to-severe abnormalities underwent another examination 7-10 days later. If lesions persisted or symptoms developed, laryngoscopy under general anesthesia was performed. Patients were assessed daily for stridor after extubation. Results A total of 187 children were included. The incidence of post-extubation stridor was 44.38%. Stridor had a sensitivity of 77.78% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 51.9-92.6) and specificity of 59.18% (95% CI: 51.3-66.6) in detecting subglottic stenosis. The positive predictive value was 16.87% (95% CI: 9.8-27.1), and the negative predictive value was 96.15% (95% CI: 89.9-98.8). Stridor persisting longer than 72 h or starting more than 72 h post-extubation had a sensitivity of 66.67% (95% CI: 41.2-85.6), specificity of 89.1% (95% CI: 83.1-93.2), positive predictive value of 40.0% (95% CI: 23.2-59.3), and negative predictive value of 96.07% (95% CI: 91.3-98.4). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65-0.91). Conclusions Absence of stridor was appropriate to rule out post-intubation subglottic stenosis. The specificity of this criterion improved when stridor persisted longer than 72 h or started more than 72 h post-extubation. Thus, endoscopy under general anesthesia can be used to confirm subglottic stenosis only in patients who develop or persist with stridor for more than 72 h following extubation.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a precisão do estridor em comparação com o exame endoscópico no diagnóstico de estenose subglótica pós-intubação em crianças. Método Foram incluídas neste estudo de coorte prospectivo crianças que necessitaram de intubação endotraqueal por mais de 24 horas. Elas foram monitoradas diariamente e submetidas à nasofibrolaringoscopia flexível após a extubação. As crianças com anomalias moderadas foram submetidas a outro exame sete a 10 dias depois. Caso as lesões persistissem ou os sintomas evoluíssem, a laringoscopia era realizada com anestesia geral. Os pacientes foram avaliados diariamente quanto ao estridor após a extubação. Resultados Participaram 187 crianças. A incidência de estridor após a intubação foi de 44,38%. O estridor apresentou uma sensibilidade de 77,78% (intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC]: 51,9-92,6) e especificidade de 59,18% (IC: 51,3-66,6) na detecção de SGS. O valor preditivo positivo foi de 16,87% (IC: 9,8-27,1) e o valor preditivo negativo (VPN) foi de 96,15% (IC: 89,9-98,8). O estridor que persistiu por mais de 72 horas ou que começou 72 horas após a extubação teve uma sensibilidade de 66,67% (IC: 41,2-85,6), especificidade de 89,1% (IC: 83,1-93,2), valor preditivo positivo de 40,0% (IC: 23,2-59,3) e valor preditivo negativo de 96,07% (IC: 91,3-98,4). A área sob a curva de característica de operação do receptor (ROC) foi de 0,78 (IC: 0,65-0,91). Conclusões A ausência de estridor foi adequada para descartar a estenose subglótica pós-intubação. A especificidade desse critério melhorou quando o estridor perdurou por mais de 72 horas ou começou mais de 72 horas após a extubação. Assim, a endoscopia com anestesia geral pode ser utilizada para confirmar a estenose subglótica somente em pacientes que desenvolveram ou continuaram com estridor por mais de 72 horas após a extubação.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of stridor in comparison to endoscopic examination for diagnosis of pediatric post-intubation subglottic stenosis. METHOD: Children who required endotracheal intubation for >24h were included in this prospective cohort study. Children were monitored daily and underwent flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy after extubation. Those with moderate-to-severe abnormalities underwent another examination 7-10 days later. If lesions persisted or symptoms developed, laryngoscopy under general anesthesia was performed. Patients were assessed daily for stridor after extubation. RESULTS: A total of 187 children were included. The incidence of post-extubation stridor was 44.38%. Stridor had a sensitivity of 77.78% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 51.9-92.6) and specificity of 59.18% (95% CI: 51.3-66.6) in detecting subglottic stenosis. The positive predictive value was 16.87% (95% CI: 9.8-27.1), and the negative predictive value was 96.15% (95% CI: 89.9-98.8). Stridor persisting longer than 72h or starting more than 72h post-extubation had a sensitivity of 66.67% (95% CI: 41.2-85.6), specificity of 89.1% (95% CI: 83.1-93.2), positive predictive value of 40.0% (95% CI: 23.2-59.3), and negative predictive value of 96.07% (95% CI: 91.3-98.4). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Absence of stridor was appropriate to rule out post-intubation subglottic stenosis. The specificity of this criterion improved when stridor persisted longer than 72h or started more than 72h post-extubation. Thus, endoscopy under general anesthesia can be used to confirm subglottic stenosis only in patients who develop or persist with stridor for more than 72h following extubation.

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