Gerard R, Nolent P, Lerouge-Bailhache M, Sagardoy T, Dienst T. When Stridor is Not Croup: A Case Report.
J Emerg Med 2022;
63:673-677. [PMID:
36369121 DOI:
10.1016/j.jemermed.2022.09.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Croup is one of the most common causes of acute respiratory disorder in children. It presents as acute laryngeal symptoms in the context of viral infection. Treatment consists of systemic steroids and aerosolized adrenaline, after which the symptoms must resolve rapidly. There are many differential diagnoses, including neurological causes. In these cases, clinical presentation is atypical and the outcome can be less favorable.
CASE REPORT
We present the cases of three children who presented with stridor, which was initially treated as croup but eventually turned out to have a neurological origin. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Clinicians need to be aware of the differential diagnoses of croup. We suggest a few key points to help emergency physicians manage these patients, including adequate use of monitoring and nasofibroscopy. Early identification is a key element in the effective management of certain rapidly progressive neurological diseases.
Collapse