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Adult acute epiglottitis: experiences in a Taiwanese setting
Yen-Liang Chang1, Shih-Hung Lo, Pa-Chun Wang
1Department of Otolaryngology, Cathay General Hospital, 280 Sec. 4 Jen-Ai Road, 106, Taipei, Taiwan.
Objective:
Acute epiglottitis is a potentially disastrous disease seen occasionally in otolaryngology emergency service. This study reports our experiences in managing adult patients with acute epiglottitis in a Taiwanese setting.
Study Design:
Admission medical records from 46 adult patients with acute epiglottitis over a period of 8 years in a tertiary referral otolaryngology service were retrospectively reviewed.
Results:
No mortality was reported; 4 (8.7%) patients were supported by artificial airway. A total of 16 (34.8%) patients had comorbid conditions; hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common systemic diseases. Patients who needed artificial airway support tended to have more systemic comorbidities ( P = 0.001) and a higher level of hyperglycemia ( P = 0.004) than those who did not need airway support. The incidences of drooling, stridor/dyspnea, and muffled voice were significantly higher in the airway-supported group ( P < 0.05). Stridor/dyspnea is a reliable clinical predictor of airway compromise (odds ratio 2.94; P = 0.0277).
Conclusion:
Dyspnea is a warning sign of impending airway collapse during an episode of acute epiglottitis. Adult patients with more systemic comorbidities might bear higher risk of airway compromise; the role of diabetes mellitus can't be overlooked.
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Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Tonsillitis II: Management
Influenza
Diphtheria
Atypical Pneumonia
Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.