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Upper airway obstruction in infectious mononucleosis

Fergal John Glynn1, Tara Mackle, John Kinsella

  • 1Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Meath/Adelaide Hospital Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland. fglynn@rcsi.ie

European Journal of Emergency Medicine : Official Journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
|January 2, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis) can cause rare but life-threatening airway compromise in patients. Prompt emergency department intervention is crucial for managing these severe cases.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Otolaryngology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Infectious mononucleosis, caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is a common condition presenting to emergency departments.
  • Typical symptoms include fever, fatigue, odynophagia, and malaise.

Observation:

  • Significant airway compromise is a rare complication of infectious mononucleosis, occurring in an estimated 1-3.5% of cases.
  • This complication can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention.

Findings:

  • This study presents two case reports of patients experiencing severe airway compromise due to infectious mononucleosis.
  • The management strategies employed in these critical cases are discussed.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of recognizing and managing rare but severe airway complications of infectious mononucleosis.
  • Informs emergency department protocols for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of Epstein-Barr virus infection and potential airway compromise.

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