Tracheitis overview
|
Tracheitis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Tracheitis overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Tracheitis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dushka Riaz, MD
Overview
Tracheitis is a bacterial infection of the trachea. It results in airway inflammation with mucosal edema, tracheal ulceration and thick membranous exudates. It is most commonly caused by a superimposed bacterial infection following a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Common bacterial pathogens include Staphylococcus Aureus, Haemophilus Influenza, Streptococcus Viridans and Moraxella Catarrhalis. It is a disease most commonly encountered in pediatric age group, between 2-10 years of age. However, mechanical ventilation can also cause tracheitis as it allows colonization of the trachea through endotracheal tube. Clinical features include cough, hoarseness, stridor which can rapidly progress into respiratory distress within 36 to 72 hours. Acute airway obstruction can also develop due to rapid formation of tracheal exudates. Securing airway by endotracheal intubation is therefore crucial in management of tracheitis along with early initiation of empiric antibiotics. Rigid endoscopy is performed to remove thick membranous exudates, known to cause significant tracheal lumen obstruction. Complications of tracheitis include airway obstruction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, septic shock and multi organ failure.