Acute epiglottitis – A life-threatening clinical entity

Abstract

Acute epiglottitis (AE) is an acute inflammatory life-threatening clinical condition which can lead to obstruction of the airway. AE is a bacterial infection of the supraglottic structures. Breathing difficulties are often thought of as a strong predictor of the intervention to the airway. AE is considered an emergency due to the chance for airway narrowing. Clinical presentations are alone insufficient for the diagnosis of AE. Fibreoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopic examination should be performed as soon as possible for confirmation of diagnosis. As AE is a life-threatening infection, it warrants immediate diagnosis and treatment. Antibiotics are the mainstay of the initial treatment along with corticosteroids which act as potential adjuncts. This review article describes the aetiopathology, epidemiology, clinical presentations, diagnosis and current treatment of AE.

Keywords

• acute epiglottitis
• airway obstruction
• stridor
• supraglottitis