Bacterial Tracheitis

Excerpt

Bacterial tracheitis (BT), also known as bacterial croup or laryngotracheobronchitis, was first described in medical literature in the 1920s, despite the name not being coined until the 1970s. Bacterial tracheitis is a potentially lethal infection of the subglottic trachea. It is often a secondary bacterial infection preceded by a viral infection affecting children, most commonly under age six. It can also be rarely seen spontaneously in the adult population, and tracheostomy-dependent patients of any age. Concern for airway protection is the mainstay of treatment as thick, mucopurulent secretions can cause airway narrowing and obstruction. On presentation, this must be distinguished from other causes of airway obstruction to allow for more expedited treatment. Treatment is aimed at the protection of the airway, assessing the need for diagnostic and/or therapeutic endoscopy, and antimicrobial therapy.