ABSTRACT
Inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) describes as inappropriate, episodic, reversible laryngeal closure during inspiration, occurring at the glottic and/or supraglottic level, in response to external triggers causing exertional breathing difficulties. We describe a case of a female patient with an underlying major depressive disorder who presented with sudden onset of stridor and tachypnoea, whereby the external trigger was psychogenic in origin. Bedside flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy (FNPLS) showed characteristic findings of paradoxical adduction of vocal cords during inspiration. Arterial blood gas analysis, routine blood tests, chest radiography, and computed tomography (CT) scan of brain, neck, and thorax excluded neurological or airway abnormality. Bedside distraction breathing exercise alleviated the stridor and tachypnoea. The patient was managed by supportive psychotherapy, speech therapy, and anti-reflux medication and was discharged well with resolution of her respiratory distress. We would like to highlight that meticulous history along with physical examinations are imperative especially amongst Otorhinolaryngologists as emergent airway management tracheostomy would have been unnecessary and cause more stress and burden to the patient as well as family members.
ABSTRACT
High-riding jugular bulb (HRJB), although rare, may pose a challenge as it may be mistaken for other non-alarming condition, such as middle ear effusion. Patients with HRJB classically present with pulsatile tinnitus. We report a unique case of a 26-year-old patient with underlying beta thalassaemia who presented with a 2-month history of intermittent epistaxis and rhinorrhoea. Otoscopic examinations revealed a pulsatile bluish mass behind the right tympanic membrane and a dull left tympanic membrane. Imaging performed revealed a finding of dual retrotympanic pathology, which consisted of a right dehiscent HRJB and left cholesterol granuloma. We highlight a rare case of dual retrotympanic mass as well as its management.
