Optimizing the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction.

BACKGROUND

Pediatric inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) is difficult to diagnose and treat. Patients often undergo multiple specialist referrals, and long-term outcomes are not well reported.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the patterns of presentation, workup, and management of children who were diagnosed with ILO at the Stollery Children's Hospital.

METHODS

Retrospective review with a prospective cohort of pediatric patients diagnosed with ILO from 2015 to 2023. We collected the demographic data, diagnostic tests, specialist referrals, time to diagnosis, symptom burden, associated comorbidities and aggravating factors, management, and treatment outcomes. A subset of patients was followed prospectively to determine treatment outcomes. A basic descriptive analysis was performed, and factors associated with time to resolution were studied.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients met the criteria for inclusion, with 22 completing prospective questionnaires. The average age was 14 years old, and 75% were female. The majority required multiple specialist referrals. The majority were associated with exercise. Thirty-two (41%) patients had a presumed diagnosis of asthma, despite only four pulmonary function tests being consistent with asthma. Abortive breathing exercises were the most commonly employed (95%) and most successful (61%) nonsurgical management technique. Surgery was highly successful in a small cohort of patients. Median time to symptom resolution was 12 months, with 36% reporting symptoms persistent beyond 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric ILO often goes undiagnosed for prolonged periods. Exercise-related symptoms are the most common. Management strategies have varied levels of success and a large proportion of patients have prolonged symptoms despite treatment, as supported by other recent evidence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 135:1207-1211, 2025.