Airway obstruction

Question 1

Gives some examples of causes of airway obstruction

Answer 1

• Inflammatory/Infective causes /Allergy
• Foreign bodies
• Physical compression/invasion of airway
• Trauma/Iatrogenic Trauma
• Neurological causes
• Neoplastic causes (cancers)
• Burn
• Congenital airway pathology

Question 2

What are some of the signs and symptoms of airway obstructions ?

Answer 2

• SOB on Exertion
• SOB at rest Stertor/Stridor
• Coughing
• Choking
• Inability to complete a sentence
• Sternal/Subcostal recession
• Dusky skin colour of skin
• Dysphagia
• Dysphonia - difficulty in speaking
• Pyrexia
• Cyanosis

Question 3

What is the management of airway obstructions?

Answer 3

1. A,B,C: Resuscitation
2. Oxygen
3. Heliox - mixture of helium and oxygen
4. Steroid
5. Adrenaline
6. Flexible fibre-optic endoscopy
7. Secure airway with ET Tube/Tracheostomy
8. Treat underlying pathology