Stridor in an adult: not just a child's disease.
We report a 54-year-old lady who presented to the emergency department for stridor and shortness of breath of acute onset. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed subglottic swelling and plain radiographs revealed a classical 'steeple sign' typical of croup. Although rare, croup should be considered in an adult presenting with stridor to the emergency department and the emergency airway team should be notified in advance for possible surgical airway emergency tracheostomy.
Kuan
Win Sen
WS
Department of Emergency Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore. kuanwinsen@hotmail.com
Quek
Lit-Sin
LS
D003440:Croup / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging