Adult Epiglottitis: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care

Background:

• Emergency Departments (EDs) face high patient volumes during respiratory illness seasons.
• Differentiating critical conditions like acute epiglottitis from common upper respiratory infections is a key ED challenge.

Observation:

• A rare series of four adult patients diagnosed with acute epiglottitis within one week at a single ED is presented.
• Patients exhibited diverse chief complaints and varied physical examination findings.
• Three patients responded to conservative management with ICU observation; one required emergent tracheostomy.

Findings:

• Acute epiglottitis can present with a wide spectrum of symptoms and signs, complicating rapid diagnosis.
• Clinical vigilance and specific diagnostic approaches are essential for identifying epiglottitis.
• Prompt recognition and intervention are critical for managing this potentially life-threatening condition.

Implications:

• This case series underscores the importance of considering acute epiglottitis in adults presenting with respiratory distress, regardless of initial symptoms.
• Enhanced awareness and diagnostic strategies can improve the identification of patients requiring urgent intervention for epiglottitis.
• Effective management of acute epiglottitis in the ED setting can prevent severe complications and improve patient survival.