Tracheitis is an

inflammation Inflammation (from la, inflammatio) is part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, and is a protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molec ...

of the

trachea The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a cartilaginous tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs, allowing the passage of air, and so is present in almost all air- breathing animals with lungs. The trachea extends from the ...

. Although the trachea is usually considered part of the

lower respiratory tract The respiratory tract is the subdivision of the respiratory system involved with the process of Respiration (physiology), respiration in mammals. The respiratory tract is lined with respiratory epithelium as respiratory mucosa. Air is breathed ...

, in ICD-10 tracheitis is classified under "acute upper respiratory infections".

Symptoms

* Increasing deep or barking croup cough following a recent upper respiratory infection * Crowing sound when inhaling (inspiratory stridor) * 'Scratchy' feeling in the throat * Chest pain * Fever * Ear ache * Headache * Dizziness (light headed) *

Labored breathing Labored respiration or labored breathing is an abnormal respiration characterized by evidence of increased effort to breathe, including the use of accessory muscles of respiration, stridor, grunting, or nasal flaring. Classification Labored breat ...

Causes

Bacterial tracheitis is a bacterial infection of the

and is capable of producing airway obstruction. One of the most common causes is '' Staphylococcus aureus'' and often follows a recent viral upper respiratory infection. Bacterial tracheitis is a rare complication of influenza infection. It is the most serious in young children, possibly because of the relatively small size of the trachea that gets easily blocked by swelling. The most frequent sign is the rapid development of stridor. It is occasionally confused with croup. If it is inflamed, a condition known as tracheitis can occur. In this condition there can be inflammation of the linings of the trachea. A condition called tracheo-bronchitis can be caused, when the mucous membrane of the trachea and bronchi swell. A collapsed trachea is formed as a result of defect in the cartilage, that makes the cartilage unable to support the trachea and results in dry hacking cough. In this condition there can be inflammation of the linings of the trachea. If the connective nerve tissues in the trachea degenerate it causes tracheomalacia. Infections to the trachea can cause tracheomegaly.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of tracheitis requires the direct vision of exudates or pseudomembranes on the trachea. X-ray findings may include subglottic narrowing. The priority is to secure the patient's airway, and to rule out croup and epiglottitis which may be fatal. Suspicion for tracheitis should be high in cases of onset of airway obstruction that do not respond to racemic epinephrine.

Treatment

In more severe cases, it is treated by administering intravenous antibiotics and may require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for intubation and supportive ventilation if the airway swelling is severe. During an intensive care admission, various methods of invasive and non-invasive monitoring may be required, which may include ECG monitoring, oxygen saturation, capnography and arterial blood pressure monitoring.

References

External links

{{Respiratory pathology Acute upper respiratory infections Human head and neck Chronic lower respiratory diseases