Created at: Jun, 09, 2025 4:32 p.m.
Author: ma7moudgamal66
Related Deck: 1659122273009
New Note
Rationale for new note

Gap in Coverage: There is currently no card addressing this life-threatening pediatric condition or differentiating it from croup/RSV—a high-yield concept for Step 1, 2, and clinical practice.

Clear Clinical Pearls: The note concisely contrasts bacterial tracheitis (S. aureus) with mimics (e.g., croup, RSV) using classic exam findings (purulent sputum, unresponsive stridor, toxic appearance) and imaging clues (tracheal irregularities vs. steeple sign).

Anking-Compliant Format:

Front: Single-sentence clinical vignette with key details (age, fever, stridor, imaging).

Back: Direct answer + bulleted distinctions + "Why Not" explanations + bolded high-yield associations.

Text
A toddler with 3 days of URI symptoms develops acute high fever, toxic appearance, purulent cough, and unresponsive stridor with subglottic narrowing/tracheal irregularities on imaging - what is the most likely causative pathogen?
{{c1::Staphylococcus aureus (most common cause of bacterial tracheitis)}}
Text
<div>A toddler with 3 days of URI symptoms develops acute<b> high fever</b>,<b> toxic appearance</b>,<b> purulent cough</b>, and unresponsive stridor with <b>subglottic narrowing/tracheal irregularities</b> on imaging - what is the most likely causative pathogen?<br><div>{{c1::Staphylococcus aureus&nbsp;(most common cause of bacterial tracheitis)}}</div></div>
Extra
Purulent tracheitis + toxic child = Staph aureus until proven otherwise.

Distinct from croup:
- High fever + toxic appearance
- Purulent secretions (vs. dry barky cough)
- Stridor unresponsive to racemic epinephrine
- Tracheal wall irregularities on imaging (vs. steeple sign)
- Requires emergency airway management + IV antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin + ceftriaxone)
Extra
<div><b>Purulent tracheitis + toxic child = Staph aureus&nbsp;until proven otherwise.</b></div><div><br>Distinct from croup:<br></div><div>- High fever + toxic appearance</div><div>- Purulent secretions (vs. dry barky cough)</div><div>- Stridor&nbsp;unresponsive&nbsp;to racemic epinephrine</div><div>- Tracheal wall irregularities on imaging (vs. steeple sign)</div><div>- Requires&nbsp;emergency airway management&nbsp;+ IV antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin + ceftriaxone)<br></div>
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Tags
#AK_Step2_v12::#AMBOSS::AxYR_r