I did have one fascinating pt (to me, but I'm easily amused) not long
ago...7ish yr old boy brought in by father and I was told that he had
sporadic episodes of recurrent 'croup' over the past 5 yrs and that all he
needed was a saline mist (via nebulizer) and he'd be fine.
My first reaction was to question the dx, although the child was breathing
noisily, but indeed on exam, the child had significant inspiratory rattles
and noises and his cough was doggier than snoop doggy. So, I shrugged my
shoulders and went along with the scheme (though I too was convinced that
'mist is not ebm' but I decided to humor dad). The child's response was the
most dramatic thing I've ever seen. Within minutes his breathing went from
stridorous to quiet (while moving good volume) and he stopped laboring.
Yes, of course this is the anecdote that proves nothing. But what do
listers make of this? Dad said about twice yearly the child would do this
and his reaction was always identical.
jeanne
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