The changing etiology and current management of stridor and airway obstruction

Upper airway obstruction is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that requires accurate diagnosis and prompt intervention. A thorough knowledge of the current differential diagnosis of this entity and the interventions available to secure an airway is essential information for any physician but especially for the otolaryngologist. This article focuses on the changing etiology of stridor and upper airway obstruction and introduces several new modalities in treatment.