Paediatric airway endoscopy.
REVUE DE LARYNGOLOGIE - OTOLOGIE - RHINOLOGIE 2000;
121:31-5. [PMID:
10865481]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
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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