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Case Reports
. 2022 May:94:107074.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107074. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Acute laryngotracheitis caused by COVID-19: A case report and literature review

Alhanouf A Alhedaithy  1 , Islam Salah Murad  2 , Nada Aldabal  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Acute laryngotracheitis caused by COVID-19: A case report and literature review

Alhanouf A Alhedaithy et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022 May.

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Laryngotracheitis (croup) is a rare manifestation of COVID-19 in adults.

Presentation of case: A 52-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath and inspiratory stridor.

Clinical findings and investigations: Physical examination of the head and neck revealed a congested posterior pharyngeal wall. Laryngeal endoscopy with a 70-degree rigid endoscope demonstrated an edematous, bilaterally moving vocal cords. Chest radiographs showed tapering of the upper trachea (the "steeple" sign), which is observed in parainfluenza-associated croup infections.

Interventions and outcome: The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close observation for possible airway compromise and the need for intubation. Upon which, she tested positive for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction testing of nasopharyngeal samples. A regimen of ceftriaxone, nebulized racemic epinephrine, and dexamethasone was initiated.

Conclusion: During the current COVID-19 pandemic, early diagnostic testing for SARS-Cov-2 are strongly recommended even when symptoms are not typical of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; Case report; Coronavirus disease 2019; ED, emergency department; HPIV, human parainfluenza virus; ICU, intensive care unit; Laryngotracheitis; Otorhinolaryngology; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Steeple sign (arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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