From the Guidelines
A high-pitched breath sound, also known as stridor, typically indicates an obstruction of the upper airways.
Causes of Stridor
- Stridor can be caused by various conditions, including laryngomalacia, laryngoceles, saccular cysts, laryngeal webs, and atresia, as well as congenital hemangiomas 1.
- It can also be a symptom of airway obstruction, which may involve the upper or lower airway or both 2.
Clinical Presentation
- Stridor is often accompanied by other symptoms such as a barky cough, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing 1.
- In infants, stridor can be a sign of a serious underlying condition, such as congenital laryngeal anomalies or airway hemangiomas 1, 2.
Diagnostic Evaluation
- Flexible bronchoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating stridor in children, as it allows for the examination of the upper airways and the assessment of airway dynamics 2.
- Other diagnostic tests, such as radiographic imaging and tidal flow-volume loop analysis, may also be used to evaluate stridor and airway obstruction 3.
Management
- The management of stridor depends on the underlying cause and may involve medical or surgical interventions, such as propranolol therapy for airway hemangiomas 1.
- In cases of airway obstruction, high-flow oxygen and other supportive measures may be necessary to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation 4.
From the Research
Definition of Stridor
- Stridor is a high-pitched breath sound caused by abnormal air passage during breathing 5, 6, 7, 8
- It is a clinical sign, not a diagnosis, and can be acute or chronic, congenital or acquired 6, 7
Characteristics of Stridor
- Stridor can be heard on inspiration or expiration, depending on the location of the obstruction 8
- It is often described as a loud, musical sound of constant pitch 5
- The pitch of stridor can vary, but it is typically high-pitched, especially in cases of laryngomalacia 9
Causes of Stridor
- Stridor can be caused by obstruction in the extrathoracic airway (nose, pharynx, larynx, and trachea) or the intrathoracic airway (tracheobronchial tree) 6, 7
- Common causes of stridor include laryngotracheal inflammation (croup), laryngotracheomalacia, and foreign body inhalation 7, 8
- Laryngomalacia is a common cause of stridor in neonates and infants, characterized by a weakening of the larynx and collapse of the laryngeal cartilages into the airway 9