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Acute laryngeal edema may be a consequence of a laryngeal trauma, infectious diseases, but most of all, they develop as a result of allergies. Edema occurs when allergic to certain drugs, e.g. penicillin, polopyrin and some sera. In children, this type of condition can be life-threatening.
Acute laryngeal edema – definition
Acute laryngeal edema is a disease characterized by the formation of fluid in the extracellular space of the tissues of various anatomical parts of the larynx (e.g. in the vocal folds). They can be a consequence of infectious and systemic diseases or a laryngeal injury, but the most common cause is allergic. Laryngeal edema can also occur in people who are allergic to certain medications, such as penicillin or polopyrin. In children, it is a life-threatening condition. Treatment should be undertaken in a hospital without delay. Therefore, at the first symptoms, the patient should be transported to the emergency ENT ward.
Causes of acute laryngeal edema
The most common causes of acute laryngeal edema are:
- inflammation, e.g. epiglottitis, cartilage inflammation of the larynx, laryngitis, acute laryngitis – they contribute to the swelling of lesions, but also of adjacent structures;
- internal injuries, such as burns or the presence of a foreign body;
- external injuries, e.g. operations in the head area and injuries resulting from accidents;
- allergy to insect venoms (bees, wasps), food (e.g. eggs, milk) and drugs (e.g. antibiotics) – causes allergic reactions and thus swelling of the larynx, which is the body’s response to these factors.
Laryngeal edema and Quincke’s edema
Quincke’s edema is simply angioedema that occurs due to immune disorders. This disease is divided into two types:
- acquired,
- innate.
The congenital form shows the first symptoms already in childhood, while the acquired form of ailments usually manifests itself in systemic diseases. Angioedema is caused by various physical factors, such as stress, cold, and excessive physical activity. If the exact cause of the ailment is not fully known, it is called idiopathic edema.
Symptoms of acute laryngeal edema
Symptoms of acute laryngeal edema include:
- hoarseness or other sudden change of voice
- barking cough (especially in children)
- increasing breathlessness on inhalation,
- foreign body feeling
- increased body temperature,
- trouble swallowing
- from.
Note: If you experience laryngeal dyspnea, try to breathe calmly through your nose with your mouth closed, even “forcefully”. Nasal breathing also helps to control severe coughing and shortness of breath after choking on saliva or fluid.
Symptoms of angioedema – it is mainly swelling of the subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes, usually affecting the eyelids, lips, trunk, limbs, tongue, larynx and the oral cavity.
Symptoms of allergic edema – they can be local, general and atypical. The first group of symptoms are painful swelling and unbearable itching of the skin at the site of the bite. The general symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea and hives. In addition, some patients with allergic edema may develop anaphylactic shock, which is a life-threatening condition. An unusual symptom is serum sickness, which is characterized by high temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, arthritis, and kidney damage.
If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, consult a doctor, and preferably go to a hospital. Insect bites and venom allergies can be life threatening.
Diagnosis of acute laryngeal edema
The basis of diagnosis in acute laryngeal edema is a medical interview with the patient and indirect laryngoscopy. During a medical interview with a patient with an allergic reaction, it is important to determine what factor caused the swelling.
Indirect laryngoscopy – is an examination performed in a standing or sitting position. During the examination, the doctor tells the patient to stick his tongue out, grasps it with his hand, and then gently pulls it forward. Then, after placing the laryngeal mirror near the uvula, the doctor tells the patient to pronounce the sounds “hi” or “e”, which allows the examined structures to be visualized.
- Also read: Fatal Swelling
Acute laryngeal edema – treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of the acute laryngeal edema. Therefore:
- inflammation caused by bacteria should be treated with antibiotics,
- laryngeal injuries should undergo surgical treatment,
- laryngeal edema resulting from systemic diseases requires treatment of the underlying disease,
- swelling of the larynx due to allergic or angioedema may require a tracheotomy or administration of pharmacological agents – these may include intravenous steroids or the administration of intramuscular antihistamines. In patients with insect stings, administer epinephrine immediately to the site of the bite.
Can laryngeal edema be prevented?
To avoid allergic laryngeal edema, avoid any allergens. Patients should eliminate similarly allergenic products and medications from their diet. In addition, protection against insects is important. If the patient is allergic to bee, bumblebee or hornet venom, desensitization may be performed. The effectiveness of this method is really high and the effect is long-lasting.