Etymed
tracheitis
Definition
inflammation of the trachea (windpipe)
Clinical context
A 3-year-old child presents to the emergency department with a harsh, barking cough and stridor. On examination, the child has fever and tenderness over the trachea. Chest X-ray shows thickened tracheal walls. The most likely diagnosis is tracheitis, which commonly affects young children and can be caused by viral or bacterial pathogens.
Mnemonic
TRACHEITIS - Tired, Retching, Coughing, Aching, Hacking, Inflamed, Tenderness, Sore throat, Infection, Stridor, Easy breathing difficulties