Issue N# 1 - 2000
LARYNGOLOGY
Paediatric airway endoscopy
Authors : N. Bhat, R. De, H. Zeiton (Birmingham)
Ref. : Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol. 2000;121,1:31-35.
Article published in english 
Downloadable PDF document english
Summary :
Objectives: to review all paediatric endoscopies performed in a tertiary referral unit over a three-year period. Methods of study: retrospective analysis of case-notes of all paediatric endoscopies performed between May 1993 and June 1996. Results: 333 paediatric airway endoscopies were performed on 146 children, of which 52% were GP referrals and the remainder secondary referrals. 70% were diagnostic endoscopies, 30% therapeutic procedures, with the commonest indication being stridor and respiratory distress (82%). Routine chest radiographs, lateral neck X-rays, and barium swallows were unhelpful in the management of the commoner upper-airway conditions. The commonest findings were laryngomalacia (44%) and subglottic stenosis (22%) and 17% of all cases had multiple airway abnormalities. Tracheotomy was performed on 18.4%, laryngotracheoplasty on 7.5%, and laryngotracheal reconstruction on 2.5%. There were no major complications in this series. Conclusions: all children with airway symptoms should have a thorough rigid-endoscopic evaluation of their upper and lower airways. Radiology has a limited role in the diagnosis of the more common airway pathologies. These patients need to be assessed and managed in regional centres.
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