Pulmonology Flashcards
1
Q
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A
Acute Epiglottitis
2
Q
What is epiglotittis?
A
- Severe, acute, life threatening infection of the epiglottis.
- Suspect in unvaccinated children
3
Q
What causes epiglotittis?
A
- It may be viral or bacterial in origin.
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- The wide spread administration of H. influenza type B (HiB) vaccine has decreased the incidence of epiglottitis in children. More adults however, have not been immunized; therefore, the incidence of HiB-induced epiglottitis has increased in this population. The most common etiologies in adults include Group A Strep, S. pneumonia, H. parainfluenza, and S. aureus.
4
Q
What are the signs and symptoms of epiglotittis?
A
- Sudden onset of high fever, respiratory distress, severe dysphagia, drooling (3 D’s) and muffled voice (“hot potato” voice) is characteristic.
- Examination may reveal mild stridor with little or no coughing; patients usually sit up right with their necks extended (tri-pod or sniffing position; chin thrust forward)
- Tachycardia is a constant feature
- High fever is usually the first symptom
5
Q
How is epiglotittis diagnosed?
A
- Direct visualization of the epiglottis is diagnostic, but manipulation may initiate sudden, fatal airway obstruction in children. This is less common in adults.
- Laryngoscopy- swollen, cherry-red epiglottis
- Once the airway is secured obtain a CBC and blood and sputum cultures.
- A lateral neck X-ray shows a swollen epiglottis. (Thumb print sign)
6
Q
How is epiglotittis treated?
A
- True medical emergency- potentially lethal airway obstruction
- Secure airway, do not move or upset the child unless ready to manage the airway.
- Administer broad spectrum, second or third generation cephalosporin such as cefodaxime or ceftriazone for 7-10 days. Dexamethasone may also be indicated to reduce inflammation.
- Maintenance of the airway is the focus of treatment.
7
Q
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A
Croup
8
Q
What is croup?
A
- Also known as acute viral laryngotracheobronchitis, (inflammation of the larynx and trachea) which more commonly affects children aged 6 mo-5yrs (in the fall or early winter) – viral infection of the upper respiratory tract
- Croup is the most common infectious cause of acute airway obstruction.
9
Q
What causes croup?
A
- Most common cause is parainfluenza virus types 1 & 2. RSV, adenovirus, influenza and rhinovirus are also implicated.
10
Q
What are the signs and symptoms of croup?
A
- Harsh, barking, seal-like cough with retractions and nasal flaring; inspiratory stridor; hoarseness; aphonia; low-grade fever; and rhinorrhea.
- Most cases are mild and last 3-7 days
- Symptoms are worse at night and typically worse on second day of illness
- Most common cause of stridor in children is croup
11
Q
How is croup diagnosed?
A
- The diagnosis is usually clinical
- Posterior anterior (PA) neck film may show subglottic narrowing (steeples sign). The lateral neck film will differentiate croup from epiglottitis.
12
Q
How is croup treated?
A
- Mild croup does not generally require treatment. Patients should be well hydrated. Minimum observation of child brought in with croup is 3 hours.
- Corticosteroids, humidified air or oxygen, and nebulized epinephrine may also be recommended.
- If no stridor- supportive, reassurance, avoid agitation
- If stridor present- racemic epinephrine, IM dexamethasone, inhaled bubesonide
13
Q
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A
Pertussis
14
Q
What is pertussis?
A
- Pertussis toxin is a virulence protein that causes lymphocytosis and systemic manifestations
- Aerosol droplet transmission
15
Q
What causes pertussis?
A
- Whooping cough- caused by gram-negative bacteria, Bordetella pertussis. Highly contagious acute respiratory illness predominately affecting children < 10 year old. It is classified as a prolonged cough illness.
16
Q
What are the signs and symptoms of pertussis?
A
- Incubation period 1-2 weeks
- Three stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal and convalescent
- Duration is 6 weeks
- Symptoms include inspiratory whoop, paroxysmal cough, post tussive emesis; symptoms in adolescents and adults are no specific and diagnosis may not be considered.
- Suspect pertussis is paroxysmal cough with color change
17
Q
How is pertussis diagnosed?
A
- PCR (poor sensitivity) or culture of nasopharyngeal secretion.
- No single serologic test is diagnostic for pertussis
18
Q
What is the treatment for pertussis?
A
- Goal is to decrease the spread of the organism. Antibiotics do not affect illness in paroxysmal stage, which is toxin mediated
- Macrolides (Azithromycin)
- Isolation until 5 days of therapy
- There is a risk of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in infants younger than 6 weeks treated with oral erythromycin
19
Q
What is the vaccine for pertussis?
A
Dtap
20
Q
xx
A
Cystic Fibrosis