BACKGROUND: Measurement of bronchodilator response is necessary to establish reversibility of airflow obstruction that was helpful to estimate the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in obstructive airway disease. An useful index should be able to detect the bronchodilator response more sensitively not related with degree of airflow obstruction and also be independent of initial FEV1. METHOD: Sensitivities of bronchodilator response in each group classified by degree of airflow obstruction in FEV1, FVC, FEF25~75%, Isovolume FEF25~75%, sGaw were studied and correlation coefficients were calculated between initial FEV1 and reversibilities expressed as absolute, %initial, %predicted, %possible in FEV1. RESULT: Sensitivities of bronchodilator response were 61.5% in FVC, Isovolume FEF25~75% and sGaw, in severe group, and 56.3% in Isovolume FEF25~75% and sGaw, in moderate group, and 62.5% in FEV1 and sGaw and 50.0% in FVC and Isovolume FEF25~75%, in mild group, and 60.0% in sGaw and 58.0% in Isovolume FEF25~75% in total patients. Correlation coefficients between initial FEV1(L) and absolute, % initial, % predicted, % possible were 0.15, -0.22(p<0.05), 0.02, 0.24(p<0.05) and correlation coefficients between initial FEV1(% predicted) and absolute, % initial, % predicted, %possible were 0.06, -0.28(p<0.05), 0.08, 0.39(p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Volume related parameters were more sensitive index not related with degree of airway obstruction and the change in FEV1 expressed as % predicted was the least dependent on initial FEV1 and reversibilities, expressed as % initial or as % possible(predicted minus initial FEV1)were correlated with initial FEV1.
Airway Obstruction ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Prognosis

Type II postobstructive pulmonary edema developes after the relief of chronic airway obstruction. We describe one case of type II postobstructive pulmonary edema during adenotonsillectomy. Awareness of this rare complication is crucial for the anesthesiologist to make early diagnosis and treatment.
Airway Obstruction ; Early Diagnosis ; Pulmonary Edema

The external laryngeal trauma is a rare but clinically important injury. The blunt trauma is more common than penetrating one. As other trauma, early suspicion and accurate diagnosis of acute laryngeal and tracheal injuries are crucial. If the airway obstruction is impending, secure airway should be made before diagnosis or treatment. The computed tomography scans play an important role in diagnosis and combined cervical esophageal injury should be evaluated. Proper restoration of the laryngeal framework with appropriately timed open reduction and internal fixation is critical for optimal recovery of the airway, voice, and swallowing.
Airway Obstruction ; Deglutition ; Diagnosis ; Larynx ; Trachea ; Voice

Flow-volume loop is known to be useful in the diagnosis of upper airway obstruction. In cases of tracheal obstruction, characteristic features such as fixed or variable upper airway obstruction patterns give clue to the diagnosis. But the flow-volume loop of unilateral mainstem bronchial stenosis is not known well. There is controversy in patterns of flow-volume loop in unilateral mainstem bronchial stenosis (restrictive pattern or biphasic pattern). We report a case of biphasic flow-volume loop in left mainstem bronchial stenosis(4-5 mm in diameter) as a sequela of endobronchial tuberculosis, which recovered normal flow-volume loop after metallic stent insertion and 2 months later showed reappearance of biphasic pattern because of restenosis of left mainstem bronchus due to growth of granulation tissue at the stent site.
Airway Obstruction ; Bronchi ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Diagnosis ; Granulation Tissue ; Stents ; Tuberculosis

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a rarely reported disease, and the clinical course is usually benign. But it may cause significant tracheal stenosis. Although it is usually found by autopsy, with the development of bronchoscopic examination and computed tomography, antemortem diagnosis is increasing. We experienced a case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica which caused severe dyspnea, we did laryngoscopic examination, biosy and treated with tracheostomy.
Airway Obstruction* ; Autopsy ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Tracheal Stenosis ; Tracheostomy

The use of a shoulder arthroscopic procedure provides advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries. However, this technique is not free from complications. We encountered a patient who presented with an airway obstruction caused by the accumulation of extraarticular arthroscopy fluid after arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia.
Airway Obstruction* ; Anesthesia, General* ; Arthroscopy ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Shoulder*

Airway Obstruction ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn

Acute airway obstruction during endotracheal intubation status is embarrassing and critical situation which requires early diagnosis and immediate management. Endotracheal tube obstruction with foreign body is rare but a variety of objects have been reported. We present a case of endotracheal tube obstruction as a result of previous aspirated foreign body that moved from the bronchial tree into the endobroncheal tube.
Airway Obstruction ; Early Diagnosis ; Foreign Bodies* ; Intubation, Intratracheal

Retropharyngeal hematomas are relatively rare. But, they are clinically important because of the close proximity of the retropharyngeal space to the upper airway. The authors experienced four cases of the retropharyngeal hematoma following cervical trauma, esophageal foreign body, stellate ganglion block, and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of individual condition.
Airway Obstruction ; Diagnosis ; Foreign Bodies ; Hematoma* ; Stellate Ganglion

Pulmonary edema is a potentially life-threatening complication of acute airway obstruction. Occasionally, patients experience sudden, unexpected and severe pulmonary edema during treatment of upper airway obstruction. Two forms of postobstructive pulmonary edema (POPE) have been identified. Type I POPE follows a sudden, severe episode of upper airway obstruction and type II POPE develops soon after the relief of chronic upper airway obstruction. The pathogenesis of POPE is multifactorial. The application of moderate continuous positive airway pressure in conjunction with the administration of diuretics usually clears pulmonary edema in these clinical settings within 24 hours. Awareness of this uncommon condition is crucial for the otolaryngologist to make an early diagnosis and initiate successful treatment. We present two cases of postobstructive pulmonary edema after treatment for upper airway obstruction.
Airway Obstruction ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Diuretics ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Pulmonary Edema*