Laryngotracheal stenosis: A more common problem in the COVID era

Author(s):  
Sebastian Sheehan ◽  
Daniel Warrell ◽  
Yasmine Kamhieh ◽  
Andrew S Harris

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a rare cause of dyspnoea. It is associated with emergency or prolonged intubation and with tracheostomy. It is expected to increase in incidence following the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to the increased numbers of prolonged intensive care admissions. Presentation may be weeks or even years after the acute episode. A variety of symptoms may be present, and include dyspnoea, cough, dysphagia, stridor or voice change. LTS can be confused with commoner respiratory diseases such as asthma. Awareness of the condition is important to facilitate a timely referral to Otolaryngology for diagnosis and management.

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Johan Klopper ◽  
Oladele Vincent Adeniyi ◽  
Kate Stephenson

Abstract Background The larynx has multiple composite functions which include phonation, airway protection, and sensory control of respiration. Stenosis of the larynx and trachea were first recorded by O’Dwyer in 1885 and by Colles in 1886, respectively. Initially, the aetiology of laryngotracheal stenosis was predominantly infective. Currently, the leading cause is iatrogenic injury to the laryngotracheal complex secondary to prolonged ventilation in an intensive care unit. Main body Laryngotracheal stenosis is a complex and diverse disease. It poses a major challenge to the surgeon and can present as an airway emergency. Management typically demands the combined involvement of various disciplines including otorhinolaryngology, cardiothoracic surgery, anaesthesiology, interventional pulmonology, and radiology. Both the disease and its management can impact upon respiration, voice, and swallowing. The incidence of iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis has reflected the evolution of airway and intensive care whilst airway surgery has advanced concurrently over the past century. Correction of laryngotracheal stenosis requires expansion of the airway lumen; this is achieved by either endoscopic or open surgery. We review the relevant basic science, aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and treatment outcomes of LTS. Conclusion The choice of surgical procedure in the management of laryngotracheal stenosis is often dictated by the individual anatomy and function of the larynx and trachea, together with patient factors and available facilities. Regardless of how the surgeon chooses to approach these lesions, prevention of iatrogenic laryngotracheal damage remains of primary importance.


Author(s):  
Erbu Yarci ◽  
Fuat E. Canpolat

Objective Respiratory distress presented within the first few days of life is life-threatening and common problem in the neonatal period. The aim of this study is to estimate (1) the incidence of respiratory diseases in newborns and related mortality; (2) the relationship between acute neonatal respiratory disorders rates and gestational age, birth weight, and gender; and (3) the incidence of complications associated with respiratory disturbances. Study Design Only inborn patients with gestational age between 230/7 and 416/7 weeks having respiratory distress were included in the study. The data were collected from the medical records and gestational age was based on the menstrual dating. Results There were 8,474 live births between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2013 in our hospital. A total of 1,367 newborns were hospitalized and oxygen therapy was applied in 903 of them because of respiratory distress. An acute respiratory disorder was found to be in 10.6% (903/8,474) among all live births. Mortality was 0.76% (66/8,474). The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was 2.8% (n = 242). The occurrence of transient tachypnea of newborn was 3.1% (n = 270). Meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and pulmonary maladaptation and primary persistent pulmonary hypertension rates were 0.1, 0.7, 2.2, and 0%, respectively. Overall, 553 (61%) of the 903 newborns having respiratory diseases had complications. The occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage and air leak was 6.8, 19.8, 4.7, 24.9, and 5%, respectively. Conclusion This study offers an epidemiological perspective for respiratory disorders from a single-center level-III neonatal intensive care unit. Although number of births, premature newborns, extremely low birth weight/very low birth weight infants, and complicated pregnancies increase in years, decreasing rates of mortality and complications are very promising. As perinatal and neonatal cares are getting better in every day, we think that more promising results can be achieved over the coming years. Key Points


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nattachai Srisawat ◽  
Nattaya Sintawichai ◽  
Win Kulvichit ◽  
Nuttha Lumlertgul ◽  
Patita Sitticharoenchai ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
João A. G. Ricardo ◽  
Marcondes C. França Jr. ◽  
Fabrício O. Lima ◽  
Clarissa L. Yassuda ◽  
Fernando Cendes

OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency of electroencephalogram (EEG) requests in the emergency room (ER) and intensive care unit (ICU) for patients with impairment of consciousness (IC) and its impact in the diagnosis and management. METHODS: We followed patients who underwent routine EEG from ER and ICU with IC until discharge or death. RESULTS: During the study, 1679 EEGs were performed, with 149 (8.9%) from ER and ICU. We included 65 patients and 94 EEGs to analyze. Epileptiform activity was present in 42 (44.7%). EEG results changed clinical management in 72.2% of patients. The main reason for EEG requisition was unexplained IC, representing 36.3% of all EEGs analyzed. Eleven (33%) of these had epileptiform activity. CONCLUSION: EEG is underused in the acute setting. The frequency of epileptiform activity was high in patients with unexplained IC. EEG was helpful in confirming or ruling out the suspected initial diagnosis and changing medical management in 72% of patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genny Carrillo ◽  
Nina Mendez Dominguez ◽  
Kassandra D Santos Zaldivar ◽  
Andrea Rochel Perez ◽  
Mario Azuela Morales ◽  
...  

Introduction: COVID-19 affected worldwide, causing to date, around 500,000 deaths. In Mexico, by April 29, the general case fatality was 6.52%, with 11.1% confirmed case mortality and hospital recovery rate around 72%. Once hospitalized, the odds for recovery and hospital death rates depend mainly on the patients' comorbidities and age. In Mexico, triage guidelines use algorithms and risk estimation tools for severity assessment and decision-making. The study's objective is to analyze the underlying conditions of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Mexico concerning four severity outcomes. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort based on registries of all laboratory-confirmed patients with the COVID-19 infection that required hospitalization in Mexico. Independent variables were comorbidities and clinical manifestations. Dependent variables were four possible severity outcomes: (a) pneumonia, (b) mechanical ventilation (c) intensive care unit, and (d) death; all of them were coded as binary Results: We included 69,334 hospitalizations of laboratory-confirmed and hospitalized patients to June 30, 2020. Patients were 55.29 years, and 62.61% were male. Hospital mortality among patients aged<15 was 9.11%, 51.99% of those aged >65 died. Male gender and increasing age predicted every severity outcome. Diabetes and hypertension predicted every severity outcome significantly. Obesity did not predict mortality, but CKD, respiratory diseases, cardiopathies were significant predictors. Conclusion: Obesity increased the risk for pneumonia, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care admittance, but it was not a predictor of in-hospital death. Patients with respiratory diseases were less prone to develop pneumonia, to receive mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit assistance, but they were at higher risk of in-hospital death.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Panagiota Xanthouli

<b>Background:</b> Studies on the role of eosinophils in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are scarce, though available findings suggest a possible association with disease severity. Our study analyzes the relationship between eosinophils and COVID-19, with a focus on disease severity and patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases. <b>Methods:</b> We performed a retrospective analysis of 3,018 subjects attended at two public hospitals in Madrid (Spain) with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from January 31 to April 17, 2020. Patients with eosinophil counts less than 0.02 × 10<sup>9</sup>/L were considered to have eosinopenia. Individuals with chronic respiratory diseases (<i>n</i> = 384) were classified according to their particular underlying condition, i.e., asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, or obstructive sleep apnea. <b>Results:</b> Of the 3018 patients enrolled, 479 were excluded because of lack of information at the time of admission. Of 2539 subjects assessed, 1,396 patients presented an eosinophil count performed on admission, revealing eosinopenia in 376 cases (26.93%). Eosinopenia on admission was associated with a higher risk of intensive care unit (ICU) or respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) admission (OR:2.21; 95% CI:1.42–3.45; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) but no increased risk of mortality (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> Eosinopenia on admission conferred a higher risk of severe disease (requiring ICU/RICU care), but was not associated with increased mortality. In patients with chronic respiratory diseases who develop COVID-19, age seems to be the main risk factor for progression to severe disease or death.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek J Erstad ◽  
Motaz Qadan

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare but highly morbid condition that is optimally managed by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, hepatologists, and intensivists at a tertiary care center that specializes in liver disorders. ALF is caused by four primary mechanisms, including viral infections (most commonly Hepatitis A and B); toxicity from acetaminophen overdose or other substances; postoperative hepatic failure ; and miscellaneous causes such as autoimmune hepatitis, genetic disorders, or idiopathic etiologies. Unlike chronic liver failure in which the body develops compensatory, protective mechanisms, ALF may be associated with severe multisystem organ involvement, including respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, and cerebral edema. Fulminant hepatic failure represents a rapidly progressive form of ALF that portends worse prognosis. Prompt diagnosis and management of multisystem organ dysfunction in an intensive care setting is paramount to survival. However, a subset of patients will fail to improve with medical management alone. Early identification of these individuals for emergent transplant listing has been shown to improve outcomes. Multiple predictive models for ALF survival have been developed, which are based on weighted evaluation of clinical and laboratory parameters. These models may be used to facilitate treatment, predict prognosis, and guide transplant listing. In this chapter, we provide an in-depth review these concepts, focusing on the classification, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of ALF. This review contains 5 tables and 69 references. Key Words: acute liver failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, coagulopathy, cerebral edema, fulminant hepatic failure, hepatic necrosis, liver transplantation, metabolic disarray, multidisciplinary intensive care, prognostication


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