Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report

Abstract Introduction 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. Case presentation We present the case of a 10-year-old Asian boy who p...

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Main Authors: Naveed Ur Rehman Siddiqui, Ayaz Ur Rehman, Areeba Sultan, Awais Abbas, Moghira Iqbal Uddin Siddiqui, Qalab Abbas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04915-3
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author Naveed Ur Rehman Siddiqui
Ayaz Ur Rehman
Areeba Sultan
Awais Abbas
Moghira Iqbal Uddin Siddiqui
Qalab Abbas
author_facet Naveed Ur Rehman Siddiqui
Ayaz Ur Rehman
Areeba Sultan
Awais Abbas
Moghira Iqbal Uddin Siddiqui
Qalab Abbas
author_sort Naveed Ur Rehman Siddiqui
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction 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. Case presentation 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. Conclusion 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.
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publishDate 2024-11-01
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record_format Article
series Journal of Medical Case Reports
spelling doaj-art-ae378bfc67d54623bcc74c35b1f4d0612025-08-20T02:08:19ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472024-11-011811310.1186/s13256-024-04915-3Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case reportNaveed Ur Rehman Siddiqui0Ayaz Ur Rehman1Areeba Sultan2Awais Abbas3Moghira Iqbal Uddin Siddiqui4Qalab Abbas5Department of Pediatric and Child Health, Aga Khan University HospitalDepartment of Pediatric and Child Health, Aga Khan University HospitalDepartment of Pediatric and Child Health, Aga Khan University HospitalDepartment of Pediatric and Child Health, Aga Khan University HospitalDepartment of ENT, Aga Khan University HospitalDepartment of Pediatric and Child Health, Aga Khan University HospitalAbstract Introduction 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. Case presentation 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. Conclusion 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04915-3Subglottic stenosisTracheal stenosisAsthmaTracheostomy
spellingShingle Naveed Ur Rehman Siddiqui
Ayaz Ur Rehman
Areeba Sultan
Awais Abbas
Moghira Iqbal Uddin Siddiqui
Qalab Abbas
Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subglottic stenosis
Tracheal stenosis
Asthma
Tracheostomy
title Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report
title_full Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report
title_fullStr Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report
title_short Tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report
title_sort tracheal stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma a case report
topic Subglottic stenosis
Tracheal stenosis
Asthma
Tracheostomy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04915-3
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