El pediatra de Atención Primaria y la laringitis aguda / Primary care pediatrician and acute laryngitis

La laringitis aguda (crup) es una enfermedad común de origen viral, que constituye la causa más frecuente de obstrucción de la vía aérea superior en la infancia. Se caracteriza por la presencia de un grado variable de tos perruna o metálica, afonía, estridor y dificultad respiratoria. La incidencia estimada es del 3-6% de niños entre 3-6 meses y 6 años, con un pico máximo en el segundo año de vida y durante el otoño y el invierno. La principal causa es el virus parainfluenza tipo 1. El diagnóstico se realiza por la clínica, tos perruna, afonía y estridor inspiratorio. No son necesarias otras exploraciones. En función de la gravedad, que estableceremos con un score clínico, pautaremos el tratamiento. El tratamiento farmacológico será a base de corticoides y adrenalina en las laringitis moderadas y graves. La dexametasona oral es el corticoide de elección en todos los casos. (AU)

Acute laryngitis/croup is a common disease of viral origin, which is the most frequent cause of upper airway obstruction in childhood. It is characterized by the presence of a variable degree of dog or metal cough, aphonia, stridor and respiratory distress. The estimated incidence is 3-6% of children between 3-6 months and 6 years, with a peak in the second year of life and during the autumn and winter. The main cause is the parainfluenza virus type 1. The diagnosis is made based on the symptoms, barking cough, hoarseness and inspiratory stridor. No other examinations are necessary. Depending on the severity, which will be objectively established with a clinical score, will the treatment be prescribed. Oral corticosteroids are the treatment of choice in all diagnosed children. Pharmacological treatment is corticosteroids and adrenaline in moderate and severe laryngitis. Oral dexamethasone is the corticosteroid of choice in all cases. (AU)

An unusual extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma presenting as chronic laryngitis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Nasal-type, extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma is a rare lymphoma. The tumor usually shows ulcerative and necrotic lesions in the nasal cavities and sinuses. Tissue involvement outside the nasal cavity is uncommon. PATIENT CONCERN: We describe a 30-year-old man with a 2-month history of hoarseness, weight loss, and dyspnea. DIAGNOSIS: Magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed edema of the larynx with obliteration of the airway. Laryngoscopic examination described necrotic tissue in the glottis and larynx. The biopsy showed chronic, necrotizing laryngitis, with no granulomas, vasculitis, or atypical cells. The immunologic and microbiologic study was negative. Later, after immunosuppressive therapy, the patient presented erythema and diffuse enlargement of the right arm. MRI showed myositis of the biceps and brachial muscles. Infection was rule out, and direct microscopy showed an extensive muscle infiltration by mononuclear cells and abundant mitosis. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD3, CD8, Ki 67 (90%), and CD56 compatible with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma. INTERVENTIONS: The patient initially received immunosuppression treatments (corticoids, cyclofosfamide, and Rituximab) with relapsing episodes. When lymphoma was diagnosed, chemotherapy was started. OUTCOMES: The patient died during chemotherapy. LESSONS: Nasal-type, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma should be suspected even when there are no classical findings of neoplasms on histology. Immunohistochemistry is mandatory to rule it out.

Idiopathic Ulcerative Laryngitis: A National Survey of Academic Laryngologists.

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic ulcerative laryngitis (IUL) is a rare disorder characterized by ulceration in the mid-membranous portions of the vocal folds. The etiology and optimal management of this condition are poorly understood. We aimed to survey laryngologists on their experiences with managing IUL in order to better understand the diagnosis and treatment of this unusual condition. METHODS: An online survey was sent to 149 laryngologists practicing at academic institutions in the United States. Survey questions assessed respondents' professional backgrounds and clinical experiences with IUL. Individual responses were tallied and calculated as percentages of total responses. RESULTS: A total of 96 out of 149 academic laryngologists completed the survey, leading to an overall response rate of 64.4%. All respondents reported that they had encountered IUL in practice, including 56.3% who reported having seen 1-10 cases, 22.9% reporting 11-20 cases, and 20.8% reporting greater than 20 cases over their careers. Dysphonia (99.0%) and cough (84.4%) were the two co-occurring primary presenting symptoms reported. Most base diagnosis on laryngeal videostroboscopy (93.8%). Fungal/bacterial cultures and operative biopsy had been performed by approximately 30% of respondents with occasional candidiasis reported but otherwise negative or nonspecific results. Common therapies used were empiric: antireflux therapy (91.7%), modified voice rest (91.7%), and oral steroids (80.2%). Among survey respondents with experience managing more than 10 cases of IUL, many found complete voice rest (60.0%), oral steroids (55.9%), behavioral cough suppression (46.7%), and modified voice rest (46.3%) to be at least moderately effective treatment options. Resolution of symptoms was most commonly reported to occur over the course of 1-3 months (59.4%) and recurrences were seen not very often or never (85.4%). However, permanent sequelae were common, including vocal fold stiffness (89.6%) and dysphonia (81.3%). CONCLUSIONS: IUL is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. Diagnosis is typically made with laryngeal videostroboscopy and spontaneous resolution occurs over 1-3 months. Laryngologists commonly treat empirically with antireflux therapy, voice rest, antimicrobials, and oral steroids. While no empiric treatment appears to be highly effective for the management of IUL, complete or modified voice rest, oral steroids, and behavioral cough suppression may be the most effective of the currently available options. Further research is necessary to improve the understanding and optimal management of IUL.

A Curious Case of Croup: Laryngotracheitis Caused by COVID-19.

We describe a case of croup in a 14-month-old boy caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019. The patient presented with classic signs and symptoms consistent with croup. Workup was remarkable for a positive point-of-care test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This case represents recognition of a new clinical entity caused by coronavirus disease 2019.

Postbiotics for Preventing and Treating Common Infectious Diseases in Children: A Systematic Review.

Postbiotics have recently been tentatively defined as bioactive compounds produced during a fermentation process (including microbial cells, cell constituents and metabolites) that supports health and/or wellbeing. Postbiotics are currently available in some infant formulas and fermented foods. We systematically reviewed evidence on postbiotics for preventing and treating common infectious diseases among children younger than 5 years. The PubMed, Embase, SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect databases were searched up to March 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing postbiotics with placebo or no intervention. Seven RCTs involving 1740 children met the inclusion criteria. For therapeutic trials, supplementation with heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB reduced the duration of diarrhea (4 RCTs, n = 224, mean difference, MD, -20.31 h, 95% CI -27.06 to -13.57). For preventive trials, the pooled results from two RCTs (n = 537) showed that heat-inactivated L. paracasei CBA L74 versus placebo reduced the risk of diarrhea (relative risk, RR, 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.71), pharyngitis (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.83) and laryngitis (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.29-0.67). There is limited evidence to recommend the use of specific postbiotics for treating pediatric diarrhea and preventing common infectious diseases among children. Further studies are necessary to determine the effects of different postbiotics.

Assessing the utility of non-surgical treatments in the management of vocal process granulomas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients would have equivalent or improved outcomes when receiving non-surgical management versus surgical removal for vocal process granulomas. METHODS: A chart review was performed for 53 adults with vocal process granulomas. All patients received baseline anti-reflux treatment consisting of twice-daily proton pump inhibitors and vocal hygiene education. Further treatment approaches were divided into non-surgical (i.e. inhaled corticosteroids, voice therapy, botulinum toxin injections) and surgical groups. Subjective parameters (Voice Handicap Index 10 and Reflux Symptom Index) and outcomes were tabulated and statistically compared. Cause of granuloma was also analysed to determine if this influenced outcomes. RESULTS: Of 53 patients, 47 (89 per cent) experienced reduction in granuloma size, while 37 (70 per cent) experienced complete resolution. The rate of complete granuloma resolution after initial treatment strategy alone was significantly higher in non-surgical compared to surgical patients (67 and 30 per cent, respectively; p = 0.039). No difference in outcome was seen between iatrogenic and idiopathic granulomas. CONCLUSION: Non-surgical patients were more likely to experience initial treatment success than those who underwent surgical removal. Continued emphasis should be placed on conservative treatment options prior to surgery for patients with this condition.

Acute subglottic laryngitis. Etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical picture.

In about 3% of children, viral infections of the airways that develop in early childhood lead to narrowing of the laryngeal lumen in the subglottic region resulting in symptoms such as hoarseness, abarking cough, stridor, and dyspnea. These infections may eventually cause respiratory failure. The disease is often called acute subglottic laryngitis (ASL). Terms such as pseudocroup, croup syndrome, acute obstructive laryngitis and spasmodic croup are used interchangeably when referencing this disease. Although the differential diagnosis should include other rare diseases such as epiglottitis, diphtheria, fibrinous laryngitis and bacterial tracheobronchitis, the diagnosis of ASL should always be made on the basis of clinical criteria.

Acute supraglottic laryngitis complicated by vocal fold immobility: prognosis and management.

PURPOSE: Acute supraglottic laryngitis (ASL) is manifested by supraglottic inflammation that has the potential for rapid and fatal airway obstruction. Complete/incomplete vocal fold immobility (VFIm) in the setting of ASL may contribute to airway obstruction. The rate of VFIm complicating ASL is not known, and it is not clear whether its occurrence alters the course and the management of ASL, particularly the need to secure the airway (by endotracheal intubation/tracheostomy). This study seeks to describe the natural history of VFIm associated with ASL (ASLIm) and to determine the added effect of VFIm on ASL severity, management, and the need for intervention to secure the airway. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center. The medical records of all patients hospitalized due to ASL between January 2007 and December 2016 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 214 patients admitted due to ASL, VFIm was identified in 9 (4.2%). The VFIms resolved within 1-90 days in all 8 patients with available follow-up of 1-3 months. One patient required endotracheal intubation. The 9 ASLIm patients had significantly higher rates of hoarseness and a history of diabetes mellitus. There was no group difference in the need to secure the airway. CONCLUSIONS: VFIm is an apparently uncommon finding among patients with ASL. It appears to be usually transient, short-lasting, and full recovery can be expected. VFIm did not alter the ASL course, nor did it put our patients at increased risk for the need for intervention to secure the airway. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Identification and Management of Chronic Laryngitis.

Chronic laryngitis is an inflammatory process of at least 3 weeks duration and affects phonation, breathing, and swallowing. This article describes the infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune causes of chronic laryngitis. Symptoms of chronic laryngitis are nonspecific and may range from mild to airway compromise requiring emergent tracheostomy.

Acute infectious laryngitis: A case series.

Although acute laryngitis is common, it is often managed by primary physicians. Therefore, video images documenting its signs are scarce. This series includes 7 professional voice users who previously had undergone baseline strobovideolaryngscopy (SVL) during routine examinations or during evaluations for other complaints and who returned with acute laryngitis. Sequential SVL showed not only the expected erythema, edema, cough, and dysphonia, but also new masses in 5 of the 7 subjects. All the signs returned to baseline. This series is reported to highlight the reversible structural changes that can be expected in patients with acute laryngitis and the value of conservative management.

Cânula nasal de alto fluxo pós-extubação traqueal em criança com obstrução de vias aéreas superiores: relato de caso / High-flow nasal cannula post-tracheal extubation in a child with upper airway obstruction: case report

RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar o caso de um lactente que necessitou de intubação traqueal no setor de emergência pediátrica por conta de laringite aguda grave e que, após a extubação traqueal programada, fez uso, com sucesso, da cânula nasal de alto fluxo, a qual, possivelmente, evitou a falha da extubação traqueal. Descrição do caso: Paciente masculino, 8 meses de idade, admitido no pronto atendimento de pediatria com desconforto respiratório agudo por causa de obstrução alta de vias aéreas secundária à laringite aguda grave. Foi imediatamente intubado e encaminhado para a unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) pediátrica. Apresentou falha de extubação em função de edema importante de laringe evidenciado por broncoscopia, o que contraindicou a extubação. Na segunda tentativa de extubação, o paciente apresentou desconforto respiratório, melhorando após uso da cânula nasal de alto fluxo, com redução da frequência cardíaca e respiratória, possibilitando a extubação com sucesso. Comentários: O uso da cânula nasal de alto fluxo foi eficaz e apresentou boa resposta nesse paciente com laringite aguda, sugerindo ser um possível adjuvante para o tratamento, evitando-se a piora do quadro respiratório e da necessidade de reintubação.

ABSTRACT Objective: To report a case of a patient who required tracheal intubation in a pediatric emergency department due to acute laryngitis and that, after the planned extubation, has successfully used the high-flow nasal cannula, which possibly prevented extubation failure. Case description: A male 8-month-old child was admitted to the pediatric emergency room with acute respiratory distress due to a high airway obstruction secondary to severe acute laryngitis. He was immediately intubated and referred to the pediatric intensive care unit. He presented extubation failure due to a significant laryngeal edema evidenced by bronchoscopy. In the second attempt to extubate, he presented respiratory distress, but, after the use of the high-flow nasal cannula, he became stable, reducing the heart and respiratory frequencies, and the extubation was successful. Comments: The use of the high-flow nasal cannula was effective and presented good response in this patient with acute laryngitis, suggesting that it is a possible adjuvant for the treatment, avoiding worsening respiratory conditions and the need for reintubation.

HIGH-FLOW NASAL CANNULA POST-TRACHEAL EXTUBATION IN A CHILD WITH UPPER AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION: CASE REPORT. / CÂNULA NASAL DE ALTO FLUXO PÓS-EXTUBAÇÃO TRAQUEAL EM CRIANÇA COM OBSTRUÇÃO DE VIAS AÉREAS SUPERIORES: RELATO DE CASO.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a patient who required tracheal intubation in a pediatric emergency department due to acute laryngitis and that, after the planned extubation, has successfully used the high-flow nasal cannula, which possibly prevented extubation failure. CASE DESCRIPTION: A male 8-month-old child was admitted to the pediatric emergency room with acute respiratory distress due to a high airway obstruction secondary to severe acute laryngitis. He was immediately intubated and referred to the pediatric intensive care unit. He presented extubation failure due to a significant laryngeal edema evidenced by bronchoscopy. In the second attempt to extubate, he presented respiratory distress, but, after the use of the high-flow nasal cannula, he became stable, reducing the heart and respiratory frequencies, and the extubation was successful. COMMENTS: The use of the high-flow nasal cannula was effective and presented good response in this patient with acute laryngitis, suggesting that it is a possible adjuvant for the treatment, avoiding worsening respiratory conditions and the need for reintubation.

OBJETIVO: Relatar o caso de um lactente que necessitou de intubação traqueal no setor de emergência pediátrica por conta de laringite aguda grave e que, após a extubação traqueal programada, fez uso, com sucesso, da cânula nasal de alto fluxo, a qual, possivelmente, evitou a falha da extubação traqueal. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Paciente masculino, 8 meses de idade, admitido no pronto atendimento de pediatria com desconforto respiratório agudo por causa de obstrução alta de vias aéreas secundária à laringite aguda grave. Foi imediatamente intubado e encaminhado para a unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) pediátrica. Apresentou falha de extubação em função de edema importante de laringe evidenciado por broncoscopia, o que contraindicou a extubação. Na segunda tentativa de extubação, o paciente apresentou desconforto respiratório, melhorando após uso da cânula nasal de alto fluxo, com redução da frequência cardíaca e respiratória, possibilitando a extubação com sucesso. COMENTÁRIOS: O uso da cânula nasal de alto fluxo foi eficaz e apresentou boa resposta nesse paciente com laringite aguda, sugerindo ser um possível adjuvante para o tratamento, evitando-se a piora do quadro respiratório e da necessidade de reintubação.

Herpes Simplex Virus Laryngitis Presenting as Airway Obstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVES: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) laryngitis is rare in adults. We add a case report to the literature and perform a literature review to further delineate the clinical presentation, course, and treatment of HSV laryngitis in adults. METHODS: Case report and literature review using PubMed and Ovid databases. RESULTS: Ten cases of diagnosed HSV laryngitis in adults were reported in the literature. It is more common in immunocompromised patients. The mean patient age was 51 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1. The clinical presentation and course of HSV laryngitis is variable. Patients may have mild chronic symptoms, such as dysphonia, or a fulminant course with rapid airway compromise. On laryngoscopic exam, the most common findings are a white exudate or ulceration. The most common treatment is with antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, which tends to be highly effective. CONCLUSIONS: Herpes simplex virus laryngitis is rare. Clinical presentation of HSV laryngitis is variable, and its course may be indolent or fulminant. Treatment with antiviral medication tends to be highly effective.

Invasive fungal laryngopharyngitis resulting in laryngeal destruction with complete laryngotracheal separation: Report of a case.

As the treatment of hematopoietic cancers evolves, otolaryngologists will see a higher incidence of opportunistic infections. We discuss a case of invasive fungal disease that invaded the larynx, pharynx, trachea, and pulmonary parenchyma after chemotherapy. The patient, a 46-year-old woman, presented 1 week after undergoing induction chemotherapy. Her initial symptoms were odynophagia and dysphagia. Despite encouraging findings on physical examination, her health rapidly declined and she required an urgent tracheotomy and multiple operations to address spreading necrosis. Because of her inability to heal, she was not a candidate for laryngectomy, so she was treated with conservative management. The patient was then lost to follow-up, but she returned 5 months later with laryngeal destruction and a complete laryngotracheal separation. While noninvasive fungal laryngitis is routinely encountered, its invasive counterpart is rare. The literature demonstrates that some cases completely resolve with medical therapy alone but that surgery is necessary in others. We recommend surgical debridement of all necrotic tissue.

Idiopathic Ulcerative Laryngitis: An uncommon disease / Laringitis Ulcerativa Idiopática: una entidad poco común

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