The diagnosis of airway obstruction in children.
Airway obstruction in children has many causes. Although vascular rings may have early onset of symptoms there was considerable delay in establishing the correct diagnosis. Barium swallow is diagnostic. Other tests, such as angiocardiography, bronchoscopy, bronchography, and lung scan are usually unnecessary. Pulmonary sling is a less common cause of vascular obstruction. Barium swallow showing anterior indentation at the level of the pulmonary hilum is diagnostic. Cysts and tumors are other causes of severe airway obstruction. The diagnostic and operative problems in three patients are discussed as examples. It is concluded that barium swallow is the most important single investigation in the evaluation of airway obstruction.
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities; D011859:Radiography; D011868:Radioisotopes
D011868:Radioisotopes; D001466:Barium Sulfate