Stridor

Q: Stridor due to laryngeal obstruction typically occurs with? (select one) 

A) inspiration
B) expiration



Answer: A

Stridor is due to the turbulent airflow in the partially obstructed upper airways and can be heard in various forms like wheezing, vibrating, musical, high-pitched or harsh. It most typically occurs with inspiration but can occur in expiration, or both. It is not granted but inspiratory stridor suggests a laryngeal obstruction. Tracheobronchial obstruction usually presents as expiratory stridor, and biphasic stridor suggests a subglottic or glottic obstruction. 

#ENT
#pulmonary


References:

1. Stridor in infants and children. Schoem SR, Darrow DH, eds. Pediatric Otolaryngology. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2012. 323-52.

2. Tan HKK, Holinger LD. How to evaluate and manage stridor in children. J Respir Dis. 1994. 15(3):245-260.