Acute upper airway obstruction

Alternative names:

airway obstruction - acute upper, choking

Definition:

A blockage of the upper airway, trachea, laryngeal (voice box), pharyngeal (throat) area.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Acute upper airway obstruction may have any of a number of causes including viral and bacterial infections, chemical burns and reactions, allergic reactions, foreign bodies, and trauma. The blockage can be complete or partial. Mild obstruction may result in air hunger while more sever obstruction can lead to cyanosis and varying states of consciousness. Complete obstruction , if not corrected, leads to rapid suffocation and death.

Symptoms of acute upper airway obstruction are dramatic an easy to diagnosis. The individual may suddenly begin having difficulty breathing or be unable to breathe at all. Cyanosis, unconsciousness and death may rapidly follow significant partial or total obstruction.

Common causes of acute upper airway obstruction include:

• foreign bodies
  • In adults foreign bodies are usually aspirated chunks of meat or food. In children, while peanuts are the most commonly aspirated food, hot dogs are the most common fatally aspirated food. Children also aspirate or choke on many non-food items. Airway obstruction from aspirated balloon fragments, buttons, coins and small toys is common.
    
    
• Anaphylaxis
  • Acute allergic reactions in which the trachea and/or throat swell closed are common. The classical example is allergic reactions to bee stings which frequently cause anaphylactic reactions.
  
  
  
• Croup
  • Croup may lead to a fairly rapid decrease in airway diameter and marked respiratory distress.
  
  
  
• Epiglottitis
  • Acute bacterial epiglottitis can cause rapid airway obstruction as the epiglottis swells and occludes the airway
  
  
  
• Retropharyngeal abscess
  • A rapidly expanding abscess can block the airway and cause respiratory distress.
  
  
  
• Peritonsillar abscess
  • Obstruction similar to retropharyngeal abscess.

  Updated Date: 02/09/00

  Updated By:

  J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial