Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report

Tracheal stenosis is a known complication following intubation. However, owing to its delayed presentation and symptoms of progressive wheezing and respiratory difficulty, it is often misdiagnosed as asthma. We present the case of a 10-year-old Asian boy who presented with cough, wheezing, and dyspn...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical case reports 2024-11, Vol.18 (1), p.588-3
Main Authors: Siddiqui, Naveed Ur Rehman, Rehman, Ayaz Ur, Sultan, Areeba, Abbas, Awais, Siddiqui, Moghira Iqbal Uddin, Abbas, Qalab
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asthma
Asthma - diagnosis
Case Report
Child
Cough - etiology
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Diagnostic Errors
Dyspnea - etiology
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal - adverse effects
Male
Respiratory Sounds - etiology
Stenosis
Subglottic stenosis
Terbutaline
Trachea
Tracheal stenosis
Tracheal Stenosis - diagnosis
Tracheostomy
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Summary:Tracheal stenosis is a known complication following intubation. However, owing to its delayed presentation and symptoms of progressive wheezing and respiratory difficulty, it is often misdiagnosed as asthma. We present the case of a 10-year-old Asian boy who presented with cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. He was misdiagnosed with severe, uncontrolled asthma and respiratory failure, remaining unresponsive to initial asthma management. During his current admission, he had difficult intubation, necessitating an emergency tracheostomy. Further subsequent examination revealed grade III tracheal stenosis. This case highlights the importance of considering tracheal stenosis as a differential diagnosis in children presenting with dyspnea, cough, and wheezing, particularly if there is a history of prior intubation. The airway should be secured immediately in a controlled environment by an otolaryngologist or anesthetist.
ISSN:1752-1947
1752-1947
DOI:10.1186/s13256-024-04915-3