Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch
Published on: August 24, 2019
Tracheitis - A Rare Extra-Intestinal Manifestation of Ulcerative Colitis in Children
Isabel Serra Nunes1, Marlene Abreu1, Susana Corujeira1
1Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal.
Insights
Tracheitis is a rare but serious complication of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in children. Early recognition and treatment of respiratory symptoms are crucial for preventing respiratory failure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can manifest with extraintestinal symptoms.
- Respiratory involvement in ulcerative colitis (UC) is uncommon, with tracheal involvement being exceptionally rare in pediatric cases.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of ulcerative colitis with concurrent tracheitis are presented.
- Case 1: A 16-year-old female with UC developed necrotic tracheitis and respiratory failure, responding to intravenous steroids.
- Case 2: A 12-year-old male with UC and sclerosing cholangitis presented with tracheitis, improving with systemic steroids.
Findings:
- Tracheitis can occur in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis.
- Persistent respiratory symptoms in IBD patients warrant suspicion for tracheitis, even with normal initial investigations.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including systemic steroids, are associated with rapid clinical improvement.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider tracheitis in pediatric IBD patients with persistent respiratory symptoms.
- Early intervention may prevent severe respiratory complications and improve patient outcomes.
- This highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex pediatric IBD cases.
Introduction:
Inflammatory bowel disease may cause both intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. Respiratory symptoms in ulcerative colitis are rare and tracheal involvement is exceedingly rare in children.
Case 1:
Sixteen year-old female with a 4-week-complaint of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever and cough. The investigation was consistent with the diagnosis of concomitant ulcerative colitis/coinfection to Escherichia coli. On day 4 respiratory signs persisted so azithromycin and inhaled corticosteroids were added. By day 6 she progressed to respiratory failure and was diagnosed with necrotic tracheitis so started on intravenous steroids with fast clinical improvement.
Case 2:
Twelve-year-old male adolescent with ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis started dry cough and throat pain 10 days after diagnosis. Laboratory investigations showed increased inflammatory signs and normal chest X-ray. He started treatment with azithromycin without clinical improvement and on day five he presented dyspnea and fever. Laryngeal fibroscopy suggested tracheitis and so systemic steroids where added with fast clinical and analytic improvement.
Discussion:
Tracheitis should be suspected if there are persistent respiratory symptoms even when exams are normal. Early recognition and early treatment are essential for a good prognosis preventing progression to respiratory failure.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:22Trachea
Anatomical Features:
Location: About half of the trachea is situated in the neck, anterior to the esophagus, and extends from the larynx (at the level of...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:30Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
01:26Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...