Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Stridor is a sign of upper airway obstruction. In children, laryngomalacia is the most common cause of chronic stridor, while croup is the most common cause of acute stridor. Stridor may be inspiratory, expiratory, or biphasic. In this study, we aimed to present clinical features and treatments of patients admitted with chronic stridor and recurrent pulmonary infections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve patients hospitalized because of chronic stridor and recurrent pneumonia were analyzed clinically, radiologically and with regard to treatment methods. Early onset, frequent recurrence, and persistence of the symptoms, poor improvement in coexistent respiratory distress inspite of appropriate treatment, and also the presence of stridor pushed us to further evaluation. Patients presenting with acute stridor and mild laryngomalacia were excluded from the study.

RESULTS: Five patients were diagnosed with vascular ring, where as other seven patients presented with tracheomalacia, severe laryngomalacia, laryngeal hamartoma, cervical bronchogenic cyst, foreign body aspiration, H-type tracheoesophagial fistula, and congenital subglottic stenosis.

CONCLUSION: Noisy breathing that begins in the newborn and infancy periods, recurrent lower respiratory tract infections and associated symptoms of airway obstruction should suggest structural and functional abnormalities of the lungs and airways. In patients with recurrent respiratory problems accompanied by stridor, diagnosis can be made with comprehensive physical examination and radiological methods.