title: [The value of endoscopy in recurrent acute laryngotracheitis in children. Apropos of 406 cases].
abstract: Acute laryngo-tracheitis in infants represents a common cause of respiratory distress with stridor accompanied with hospital admission. The prognosis is usually favorable in light of the available medical and environmental management. We performed a retrospective analysis of 1739 case reports from 1974 to 1989 with special attention being paid to infants admitted three times or more for recurrent acute laryngo-tracheitis. An ENT consultation was requested in 406 infants which resulted with an endoscopy being performed. Narrowing of the airway was noted in 75% of cases. Dynamics of fluids explains why a silent lesion becomes symptomatic as soon as an inflammatory process is also present. As there are pathologies which are life-threatening, we advocate routine endoscopy as a precautionary method of investigation, followed by close reassessments, in all cases of recurrent acute laryngo-tracheitis with dyspnea. Preferably, this procedure should be performed between dyspneic episodes.
authors.affiliation: Service ORL, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bernard
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000002:abnormalities; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
vernacular_title: Valeur de l'endoscopie dans les laryngo-trachéites aiguës récidivantes de l'enfant. A propos de 406 observations.