Conditions of the Pharynx or Larynx

Airway Edema

• caused by allergies, trauma, infection, inhalation of toxic gases, or hereditary conditions like hereditary angioedema (HAE)

• Upper airway edema is potentially life-threatening

Croup

• Infection of vocal cords, trachea, and/or bronchial tubes

• Usually caused by human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs), can be viral or bacterial

• Most common in children 6 months–3 years due to small airway diameter

• Starts with cold-like symptoms and progresses to a barking cough

• Symptoms typically last 3–5 days

Dysphagia

• Difficulty swallowing, which can affect airway function

• Caused by physical obstruction, muscle disorders of the pharynx or esophagus, or conditions affecting swallowing such as stroke or neurodegenerative diseases
  

Oral dysphagia

difficulty chewing/breaking down fo

Oropharyngeal dysphagia

difficulty initiating swallowing

Esophogeal dysphagia

difficulty passing food down the esophagus

Epiglottitis

• Inflammation of the epiglottis

• Potentially life-threatening due to airway obstruction

• Can occur at any age; caused by trauma or infection

• Adult causes: Streptococcus pneumoniae and groups A, B, C streptococcus

• Child cause: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Laryngitis

an inflammation of the larynx.

• Acute laryngitis may be caused by either viral or bacterial infection or by vocal strain

Laryngeal Edema

• Abnormal fluid accumulation in the larynx, common after endotracheal tube removal

• Can result from trauma caused by the tube

• Postextubation stridor (high-pitched sound from narrowed airway) indicates laryngeal edema

• Treatment depends on severity

Laryngospasm

spasm or contraction of the vocal cords.

• It may be triggered by trauma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),anxiety, or stress.

Pharyngeal reflex

• Also called the gag reflex

• Contraction of the back of the laryngopharynx triggered by touching the back of the palate or oropharynx

• Protects against choking or aspiration of food

Otitis Media

• Infection of the middle ear

• Symptoms: ear pain, fever, bulging/red tympanic membrane, middle ear fluid

• Treatment: antibiotics and pain relief

Valsalva

maneuver

• Forcibly exhaling against a closed airway to equalize middle-ear pressure

• Used during pressure changes, such as diving or air travel

• Can affect heart rate and blood pressure due to changes in intrathoracic pressure

Bronchoscopy

• Uses a fiberoptic scope with camera and light to view upper airways and lungs

• Performed with flexible or rigid bronchoscope through nose or mouth into trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles

• Can assist with intubation