Tests

1st tests to order

clinical exam

Test
Result
Test

Croup is largely a clinical diagnosis.

Result

typical features on clinical exam

Investigations to avoid

viral panel testing

Recommendations
Rationale
Recommendations

Do not order comprehensive viral panel testing for patients who have a typical clinical presentation of croup.[21]

Rationale

Viral testing is not necessary to diagnose croup and the results are not helpful for routine management.[19][20]​ There is a lack of consistent evidence to demonstrate the impact of comprehensive viral panel results on clinical outcomes.[23]

x-ray neck

Recommendations
Rationale
Recommendations

Do not order radiographs for children with typical clinical signs of croup.[21]

Rationale

Radiologic assessment is not necessary to diagnose croup. Croup is often associated with the steeple sign which indicates glottic and subglottic narrowing. However, this finding is neither specific nor sensitive for croup.[20][22]

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