Laryngospasm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ICD-10 | J38.5 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 478.75 |
| MeSH | D007826 |
In medicine, laryngospasm is an uncontrolled/involuntary muscular contraction (spasm) of the laryngeal cords. The condition typically lasts less than 30 or 60 seconds, and causes a partial blocking of breathing in, while breathing out remains easier. It may be triggered when the voice box or the area of the windpipe below the voicebox detects the entry of water or other substance. It is characterized by a high pitched scream-like sound, and might be frightening for some to witness. Some people suffer from frequent laryngospasms, whether awake or asleep. In an ear, nose and throat practice, it is typically seen in people who have silent reflux disease. It is also a well known, infrequent but serious post-surgery complication.
[edit] Etiology
It is a complication associated with anesthesia. The spasm can happen often without any provocation, but tends to occur after tracheal extubation.
[edit] Treatment
Laryngospasm in the operating room is treated by hyperextending the patient's head and administering mechanical ventilations with 100% oxygen. In more serious cases it may require intubation. If orotracheal intubation is not possible a cricothyroidotomy is done to create an airway.
In ear, nose and throat practices, it is treated by examining the patient in the office and reassuring the patient that laryngospasm resolves. Sometimes reflux medication is used to reduce the acidity in the stomach.
[edit] External links
- GPnotebook -1999634387
- eMedicine emerg/802 "Ketamine: Emergency Applications" - discusses laryngospasm.
- Information for patients with laryngospasm - voicedoctor.net
 |
This medical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Acute respiratory distress syndrome • Adenoid hypertrophy • Asthma • Atelectasis • Atrophic rhinitis • Bauxite fibrosis • Berylliosis • Bronchiectasis • Bronchiolitis • Bronchitis • Byssinosis • Coalworker's pneumoconiosis • Common cold • COPD • Croup • Emphysema • Empyema • Epiglottitis • Hamman-Rich syndrome • Hay fever • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis • Influenza • Interstitial lung disease • Laryngitis • Laryngospasm • Lung abscess • Mediastinitis • Nasal polyp • Peritonsillar abscess • Pharyngitis • Pleural effusion • Pneumoconiosis • Pneumonia (Viral, Bacterial, Bronchopneumonia) • Pneumothorax • Pulmonary edema • Respiratory failure • Rhinitis • Siderosis • Silicosis • Sinusitis • Status asthmaticus • Tonsillitis • Tracheitis • Upper respiratory tract infection • Vasomotor rhinitis • Vocal fold nodule
