The medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of stridor. Family history What is the current health status of your family members? Social anamnesis Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). How long has the stridor (“hissing,” “whistling”) been present? When did it first occur? Was there a … Stridor: Medical History
Conditions in which inspiratory stridor (during inspiration) may occur: Congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99). Choanal atresia – congenital absence of the posterior nasal opening. Laryngo- (laryngeal)/tracheomalacia (tracheal softening). Laryngeal sail Laryngocele – bulge of the laryngeal ventricle (sinus morgagni or ventriculi morgagnii) in the larynx, i.e. the lateral bulge between the vocal folds … Stridor: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes Inspection and palpation (palpation) of the neck [due topossible differential diagnosis: goiter (thyroid enlargement); tumors of the thyroid]. Examination of the lungs Auscultation (listening) of … Stridor: Examination
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate Stridor: Leading symptom Whistling respiratory sound (whistling breathing) that occurs during inspiration and/or expiration (inspiratory/expiratory stridor) Stridor can be differentiated according to its localization: Stridor nasalis – mostly audible as “sniffing”. Stridor pharyngealis – mostly audible as “snoring“. Stridor laryngealis – mostly audible as “whistling”. Stridor trachealis – … Stridor: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Therapy for stridor depends on the cause. If stridor is associated with high-level airway obstruction, a medical emergency exists that requires immediate intervention (intubation or tracheostomy).
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification. Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Thyroid parameters – TSH
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification. Spirometry (basic examination within the scope of pulmonary function diagnostics) – if pulmonary function limitation is suspected. X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax/chest), in two planes – for orienting imaging of the … Stridor: Diagnostic Tests
