Tracheitis: outcome of 1,700 cases presenting to the emergency department during two years

A retrospective analysis was completed of the charts of the 1,727 patients with the diagnosis of croup seen during two years (1985 and 1986) in the Emergency Department of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Cough (91.4%) was the most common presenting symptom. Other presenting signs and symptoms included stridor (57.5%), chest wall retraction (38%), coryza and wheezing (18.5%) and tracheal tug (15%). The majority of patients were treated on an ambulatory basis while 377 (21.7%) were admitted for further management. Inpatient treatment included racemic epinephrine (120 patients) and parenteral steroids (17). Twelve (12) patients required airway support (endotracheal intubation). No tracheotomy for tracheitis was performed during this two year period. No deaths occurred in this patient population.