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Pregame Sore Throat, Postgame Intensive Care Unit
Natalie C Stork1, M Kyle Smoot
1*Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Section of Sports Medicine, The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri; and †University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Summary
A collegiate football player developed acute epiglottitis after a sore throat. This case highlights the need for careful return-to-play protocols for athletes recovering from this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Acute epiglottitis is a rare but serious upper airway infection.
- It typically presents with sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing.
- No prior reports exist for acute epiglottitis in collegiate athletes.
Observation:
- A collegiate football player presented with a sore throat on game day.
- He was initially afebrile with no respiratory distress or signs of pharyngitis.
- Within 12 hours, he rapidly progressed to acute epiglottitis, requiring intubation.
Findings:
- This case represents the first reported instance of acute epiglottitis in an athlete.
- The athlete required urgent airway management and empirical treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids.
- The rapid progression from initial symptoms to severe airway compromise was notable.
Implications:
- There is a lack of evidence-based guidelines for athletic return to play after acute epiglottitis.
- Return to play decisions should prioritize symptom resolution and a gradual increase in physical activity.
- Consideration must be given to the athlete's deconditioning due to hospitalization and recovery.