Supraglottic Airway Infections

Millan, Susan B.; Cumming, William A.

doi:10.1016/s0095-4543(05)70360-2

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 86 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Laryngeal airway infections, sometimes causing airway obstruction and life-threatening illnesses, are due to an imbalance between defense and attack mechanisms at the mucosal surface of the larynx (Millan and Cumming 1996). However, in view of the frequency of endotracheal intubations, laryngoscopies, bronchoscopies, and other invasive methods currently applied to the respiratory tract, it is astonishing that serious laryngeal inflammation is a rare event.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The human false vocal folds - an analysis of antimicrobial defense mechanisms

Kutta

Steven

Kohla

et al. 2002

Anatomy and Embryology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Inflammatory processes often lead to pathologic changes in the area of the larynx. A moistening function of the false vocal folds has been described frequently. Up to now we have little knowledge of the role of the false vocal folds in protection against pathogenic agents. The present study analyzes the structures of the false vocal folds in their relations to antimicrobial defense mechanisms. Investigations were performed on false vocal folds of larynges from 34 cadavers using histologic, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Seromucous glands, together with epithelial and goblet cells of the folds, synthesize a complex mucus layer. In all of the investigated samples this layer contains carbohydrates including N-acetyl-glucosamine, N-acetyl-galactosamine, galactose, mannose, fucose, and sialic acids. Furthermore, antimicrobial peptides like lactoferrin, lysozyme, alpha and beta defensins are also found in these structures. IgA, produced by plasma cells in the false vocal folds, is frequently integrated in the secretory product. Synthesized mucins, antimicrobial peptides and immunoglobulins form a specialized protective substance that is secreted mainly at the true vocal folds. Here the layer functions to lubricate the true vocal folds, resulting in positive functional consequences during vocal production. Moreover, together with immunocompetent cells, the protective layer seems to play a major role in antigen defense and prevents invasion of pathogenic agents.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The human false vocal folds - an analysis of antimicrobial defense mechanisms

Kutta

Steven

Kohla

et al. 2002

Anatomy and Embryology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These lymph nodes usually atrophy by 3 to 4 years of age. 3 However, the elderly and newborns can develop retropharyngeal infection. [4][5][6][7][8] Knowledge of the retropharyngeal space and its relationship to the other compartments is important in understanding the presentation, treatment, and complications of deep neck infections.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Retropharyngeal Abscess in Children: 10-Year Study

Al-Sabah

Salleen²,

Hagr³

et al. 2004

J. Otolaryngol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Retrospective analysis of all patients treated for retropharyngeal infection in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Methods: Charts were reviewed for demographic data, duration of symptoms, radiologic workup, antibiotic choice, microbiologic findings, surgical approach, complications, and duration of medical therapy. Surgical findings were correlated with computed tomographic (CT) scans. Results: Sixty-eight patients were included in the study. Empirical intravenous clindamycin was started for a trial of conservative medical therapy. Fifty-one patients (75%) responded to medical treatment, and only 17 patients (25%) required surgical intervention. The CT scan showed a sensitivity of 43% and a specificity of 63% in this series. None of the patients with retropharyngeal infection died, had a major complication, or had a recurrence. Conclusion: Based on the current study, we propose that all patients should be given a trial of medical treatment with intravenous clindamycin. Surgery should be reserved for those who do not respond. An extensive review of the literature is presented. Sommaire Objectif: Analyse rétrospective de tous les patients traités pour une infection rétropharyngée dans un hôpital de soins tertiaires pédiatriques. Méthode: Nous avons extrait des dossiers les informations suivantes : démographie, durée des symptômes, investigation radiologique, choix d'antibiotiques, constatations microbiologiques, approche chirurgicale, complications et durée du traitement médical. Les trouvailles chirurgicales ont aussi été corrélées avec la tomodensitométrie. Résultats: Nous avons revu 68 dossiers. La clindamycine a été essayée empiriquement dans tous les cas. Cinquante-et-un patients ont bien répondu à ce traitement et seulement 17 (25%) ont donc eu besoin d'une intervention chirurgicale. La tomodensitométrie a montré une sensibilité de 43% et une spécificité de 63%. Aucun de ces patients n'a présenté de complication significative (aucun n'est décédé) ni n'a présenté de récidive. Conclusion: Suite à ces résultats, nous recommandons un traitement médical de clindamycine intraveineuse pour tous. La chirurgie devrait être réservée pour ceux qui ne répondent pas. Nous présentons aussi une revue de la littérature.

show abstract

“…These potential spaces, created by fascial layers, are the retropharyngeal, vascular, submandibular, submental, parapharyngeal, peritonsillar, and parotid spaces [21]. Abscess formation in these potential spaces is commonly caused by tonsillar infection [22, 23]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%