A Narrowing Diagnosis: A Rare Cause of Adult Croup and Literature Review. (10th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patel, Jayshil J.; Kitchin, Emily; Pfeifer, Kurt
• Other Names: Waxman Kenneth S. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in critical care. Volume 2017(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-01-10
• Subjects: Critical care medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Medical emergencies -- Periodicals; 616.02805
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/9870762
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6420

Abstract

Abstract : Croup or laryngotracheitis is rare in adults. We present a case of an otherwise healthy young woman that presented in the winter with 3 days of increasing dyspnea, cough, and fever. She was hemodynamically stable but was found to have a barking cough, paradoxical abdominal breathing, and stridor. Chest radiograph revealed subglottic narrowing. Respiratory viral nucleic acid amplification testing was positive for respiratory syncytial virus. The patient was treated with nebulized epinephrine, dexamethasone, and a helium-oxygen mixture. Stridor resolved immediately after starting the helium-oxygen mixture. Within 72 hours, the patient made a complete clinical recovery without the need for escalation of care. Prehospital discharge chest radiograph demonstrated resolution of subglottic narrowing.