Acute laryngeal obstruction in children. A fifty-year review.

When dealing with acute laryngeal obstruction, the first important consideration is the differential diagnosis of the cause. The author considers the following six types: acute laryngotracheobronchitis, acute epiglottitis, diphtheria, supraglottic allergic edema (angioedema), subglottic allergic edema (spasmodic croup) and foreign body in the larynx or trachea. He traces the development of the treatments that have in 50 years lowered the mortality rate from 70% to practically zero. High humidity, best supplied by an ultrasonic nebulizer, antibiotics, and corticosteroids in very high dose have been the prime effective measures. There still is controversy about the choice between tracheostomy and nasotracheal intubation if medical therapy is delayed or ineffective. The primary physician must know when and where to send these children in order to prevent the fatalities so frequent in previous years.