Stridor
GGC - Primary Care
Warning
Background:
Stridor is a high pitched noise on inspiration.
Occasionally it is misdiagnosed as a wheeze or breathiness that does not respond to typical treatments for COPD.
If can be caused by many different conditions. If caused by cancer, it is often late-stage disease.
Referral guidance:
Any patient with suspected stridor should be referred to ENT as an emergency for immediate review. They may need to be sent to A&E but it is useful for the ENT team to be aware of the patient so they can pre-alert A&E regarding the patient and ensure the patient is reviewed quickly in A&E resus on their arrival