A 4-year-old boy has a monophasic expiratory stridor with a prolonged expiratory phase and no voice change or cry abnormality. Bronchoscopy is planned. Based on the phase of stridor alone, the lesion is most likely located:

• A Supraglottic larynx
• B Glottis
• C Subglottis
• D Trachea or bronchi ✓

Explanation

Stridor localises the lesion by its phase. Inspiratory stridor indicates a supraglottic or glottic lesion, biphasic stridor points to the glottis or subglottis, and purely expiratory stridor indicates an intrathoracic tracheobronchial lesion such as tracheomalacia, vascular compression, or a bronchial foreign body. The absence of any voice change further argues against a laryngeal site and supports a lower airway lesion.

Reference: Scott-Brown's Essential Otorhinolaryngology, 2nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.