Isolated fungal epiglottitis: A rare presentation

Abstract

Primary fungal epiglotitis is the isolated fungal infection of the epiglottis, without affecting the other body parts such as the larynx, lungs, pharynx, and oral cavity. It is an extremely rare clinical entity. Very few cases could be found in world literature. Pain throat and/or odynophagia are common clinical presentations. It can be secondary to inhaled steroid therapy which is usually mild. : In this article, we introduced a rare case of fungal epiglotitis in a 66 years old immunocompetent male presented with odynophagia without any other symptom or sign. In endoscopic laryngoscopy, using a 70 scope, a white lesion on swollen epiglottis was seen and rest of larynx was normal. No cervical lymphadenopathy was seen. Laryngeal area was tender on deep palpation. Patient was put on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. There was no response even after 24 hers of starting treatment. Patient was put on empirically oral antifungal treatment and he improved in 6-8 hrs. Diagnosis of fungal epiglotitis was clinical, based on patient’s history, signs and sypmtoms. Signs included the inflammatory changes of the epiglotis and candida whitish discoloration of it. There was rapid and obvious improvement in condition of the patient, once started on oral antifungal treatment.