Do the clinical parameters provide the reliable indication of airway findings in adult patients with acute supraglottitis?

Abstract

Airway management of adult patients with acute supraglottitis is challenging. The sign and symptoms of the disease may show marked variation in terms of severity and progression. Thorough evaluation is required before selecting any particular approach. We report the case of an adult patient with acute supraglottitis, in whom active airway intervention was planned. The clinical predictors were not suggestive of any airway compromise in our patient. However, the disease was found to have an unanticipated rapidly progressive course leading to the significant edema of the oropharynx and the surrounding structures as evidenced by the laryngoscope and computerized tomography scan findings.

Keywords

• Acute
• adult supraglottitis
• airway