Croup

Epidemiology


Etiology


Pathophysiology

Viral infection → inflammation of the upper airway with edema formation and infiltration of inflammatory cells → narrowing of subglottic airway (inspiratory stridor) and increased work of breathing Pasted image 20231225203056.png


Clinical features


Diagnostics

Imaging


Differential diagnostics


Croup (subglottic laryngitis; laryngotracheitis) Epiglottitis (supraglottic laryngitis) Foreign body (FB) aspiration
Cause Viral: primarily human parainfluenza viruses H. influenza type B foreign body
Cough Barking Absent Chocking
Voice Hoarse Muffled Hoarseness or inability to speak indicate a laryngotracheal FB.
Difficulty swallowing/drooling Absent Present Depends
X-ray neck and chest findings
Steeple sign (subglottic narrowing on chest x-ray) Thumbprint sign (thickening of epiglottis on lateral neck x-ray) Most FB are radiolucent

Treatment