Stridor

Stridor is a noisy or high-pitched wheezing or whistling sound that occurs when breathing in, breathing out, or both. 

The condition signals that the upper airway is partially blocked or narrowed, restricting airflow between the mouth and the lungs. The problem may involve the nose, mouth, sinuses, voice box (larynx), or windpipe (trachea). Because children have shorter and narrower than adults, they are more likely to experience airway blockages.
 

Causes of Stridor

In children, common causes include:

• Congenital stridor (structural defects present at birth)
• Infections such as croup, epiglottitis, or tonsillitis, and abscesses in the back of the throat
• Swallowing toxic substances
• Food or small objects stuck in the airway
• Injuries to the jaw or neck

In adults, common causes include:

• Vocal cord paralysis
• Subglottic stenosis (narrowing of the airway below the vocal cords)
• Inhaling a piece of food or foreign object
• Vascular rings (an artery or vein compressing the windpipe)

Other causes at any age may include:

• Neurological problems affecting normal breathing
• Allergic reactions causing airway swelling
• Tumors narrowing or blocking the airway

Untreated stridor can completely block the airway and may be life-threatening. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own—seek medical care immediately if noisy breathing occurs.
 

Risk Factors 

The risk factors for stridor include:

• Structural airway defects that are present at birth
• Infections
• Foreign objects or food stuck in the airway
• Trauma or injury to the jaw or neck
• Long-term use of a mechanical ventilator (breathing machine) 
   

Symptoms 

The main symptom of stridor is the noise that’s heard while breathing. Call 911 or get medical help right away if severe airway blockage symptoms occur, including:

• Gasping for air or choking
• Widened nostrils when breathing
• Sinking of the areas between the ribs when breathing
• Change in behavior
• Bluish skin color
• Loss of consciousness
   

Diagnosing Stridor

Your health care provider will review your or your child’s symptoms, health history, and perform a physical exam. You may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluations. The tests for diagnosing stridor may include:

• X-rays of the chest and neck　
• CT scan or MRI scan for a more detailed look at the anatomy of the chest and neck
• Laryngoscopy, in which a scope is used to check the back of the throat and larynx (voice box)　
• Bronchoscopy, in which a scope is used to examine the airway
• Spirometry, a simply test o measure lung function
• Pulse oximetry to measure oxygen levels in the blood using a small finger or toe sensor
• Sputum culture, lab testing of mucus coughed up from the lungs to check for infection
   

Treatment Options

Treatment will depend on your or your child’s symptoms, age, general health, and how severe the condition is and may include:

• Referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist
• Medicines by mouth or shots to help decrease the swelling in the airways or treat an infection
• Surgery to open the airway and fix the cause of the noisy breathing

Whenever possible, Cooper ENT specialists use minimally invasive surgical techniques for faster recovery and less discomfort.
 

Why Choose Cooper for Stridor Care

With their advanced training and experience, Cooper’s team of otolaryngologists—ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists—are uniquely qualified to treat children and adults with this condition, and they have a proven track record of successful outcomes.

In addition, our ENT specialists are proficient in today’s most advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques, including transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and transoral laser microsurgery (TOLM).