Pediatric airway

Objectifs

To become familiar with common causes of acute airway obstruction in children.

To develop an imaging approach to the infant with stridor or wheeze.

To receive an introduction to chronic airway obstructions or masses

unique to children.

Points clés

Shoulder bolster is very helpful for soft tissue neck films.

Fluoro can be helpful to see if child needs CT.

Best sign of retropharyngeal soft tissue swelling is loss of normal step-off.

Delayed CT images through coalescent low density area can help distinguish abscess from focal cellulitis.

Maintain a high index of suspicion for aspirated foreign body in craw-ling infants.

Consider decubitus or expiratory views to show air-trapping.

Nasopharyngeal or sinus neoplasm in young child is most likely rhabdomyosarcoma (not squamous cell carcinoma).

Subglottic mass in infant most likely hemangioma.

Résumé

Clinical, pathologie, and imaging features of common conditions causing acute airway obstruction and more chronic conditions affecting the pediatrie airway will be presented.