Abstract
Acute epiglottitis is a common condition in children but is a rare entity in adults. Both in children and adults this is a life threatening condition as it can lead to complete airway obstruction. It is therefore vital that this condition is kept in mind when patients, both children and adults are admitted with severe airway obstruction to the emergency room. A case of adult acute epiglottitis complicated with abscess formation is described where timely intervention and correct diagnosis with appropriate treatment saved the life of the patient. Key words: Acute epiglottitis; Acute airway obstruction; Deep neck abscess DOI: 10.4038/slja.v19i1.2872 Sri Lankan Journal of Anaesthesiology Vol.19(1) 2011 pp.47-50
Highlights
Acute epiglottitis in adults is often referred to as supraglottitis as the inflammation is generally not confined to the epiglottis but can affect supraglottic structures such as the pharynx, uvula, base of the tongue, aryepiglottic folds or the false vocal cords
Overall mortality for adult epiglottitis is higher around 4–7% 2,3 than in children (2–3%) after the widespread immunization with HIB vaccine[4]
The mortality in adults further increases to 17% if complicated with airway obstruction
Summary
Physical examination revealed mild respiratory distress (respiratory rate: 22/min, SpO2: 90% on air). On admission to the ICU patient was drowsy the SpO2 was 70% but it improved to 92% when supported with an ambu bag, tight seal mask and oropharyngeal airway with 100% oxygen. Further management of the patient was carried out as acute epiglottitis. The fever settled within thirty six hours and the patient was extubated after 2 days when a leak around the deflated cuff was observed.
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