An uncommon shape of epiglottis misleading as acute epiglottitis

An Account of an Uncommon Inflammation of the Epiglottis

Acute epiglottitis in an adult.

A 33-year old man developed acute epiglottitis of sudden onset which resulted in severe respiratory distress. A small endotracheal tube was passed as an emergency procedure. Respiratory arrest developed after he pulled it out 12 hr later. Subsequent progress was satisfactory following endotracheal intubation and treatment with ampicillin and hydrocortisone. Blood cultures grew Haemophilus influ...

Acute epiglottitis complicating an emphysematous abscess.

A 32-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 2-day history of nonproductive cough, fever, severe sore throat, odynophagia, and dysphagia. A chest radiograph showed no significant finding, but the lateral view of the neck demonstrated ‘‘vallecula’’ and ‘‘thumbprint’’ signs (Figure 1). Significant laboratory findings were a white blood cell count of 22,000/mL with 93% neurtrophi...

Acute laryngotracheobronchitis and epiglottitis.

RESPIBATORY OBSTRUCTION iS one of the most serious problems in infants and children. Laryngotracheobronchitis and epiglottitis may cause acute respir~ttory obstruction. Epiglottitis alone can be one of the causes of sudden~ death in ~hfldhood. 1,n,I2 Unless we are familiar with the clinical features of these conditions, proper treatment may not be instituted in time to prevent death. During the...

Adult acute epiglottitis.

Acute epiglotiitis is a disease of rapid onset and progression of symptoms and has been well described in children. The importance of being aware of this diagnosis is to prevent an acute upper airway obstruction that can be potentially fatal. Here we describe two cases of adult acute epiglottitis where the patients had severe symptoms of sorethroat but a normal looking oropharynx.