Dyspnea with 'wheezing' in a 75-year-old female.
This case demonstrates the importance of including upper airway obstruction in the differential diagnosis of 'asthma'. Clues to the diagnosis can be obtained from the physical examination, inspiratory and expiratory flow volume curve studies and radiologic studies. The definitive treatment is determined by the underlying etiology and the extent of the upper airway obstruction.
Volcheck
G W
GW
Division of Allergy and Outpatient Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Van Dellen
R G
RG
D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000503:physiopathology*