Abstract
A case of severe polypoid corditis causing dyspnea and acute pulmonary edema was reported.
A 66-year old female was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea. She was treated for bronchial asthma before admission. Her glottis was obstructed by severe polypoid corditis. A tracheotomy was performed immediately, however, data from blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia and acidosis after the tracheotomy and chest X-rays showed pulmonary edema. She was treated with mechanical ventilation. 21 days after our initial treatment, her polypoid corditis was treated surgically by laryngomicrosurgery.
The tracheal stoma was closed without any trouble. Her vocal cords and voice returned to normal. It is necessary to recognize that upper airway obstruction may sometimes be misdiagnosed as asthma. The mechanisms underlying pulmonary edema cause by upper airway obstruction were discussed.
