Epiglottitis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]
Overview
Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis - the flap that sits at the base of the tongue, which keeps food from going into the trachea (windpipe). Due to its place in the airway, swelling of this structure can interfere with breathing and constitutes a medical emergency. The infection can cause the epiglottis to either obstruct or completely close off the windpipe.
Overview
Historical perspective
One remarkable incidence of epiglottitis has been traced to George Washington; the first president of the United States on December 13, 1799. He was reported to have had sore throat and hoarseness of voice. At dawn the next day, his conditioned worsened with difficulty in breathing. Few hours later he was found to have respiratory distress and died few hours later of what was known to be due to acute epiglottitis.[1][2][3] In the 1980s Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine was introduced. Prior to this,[4] epiglottitis used to be mostly found in pediatric age group between 3 to 5 years. However, recent trend in North America favors adults as most commonly affected individuals.[5]
Classification
Epiglottitis may be classified according to the etiology, and disease duration into infectious and noninfectious causes. Infectious epiglottitis may be subclassified into bacterial, viral and fungal causes. Noninfectious epiglottitis is main due to trauma from foreign objects inhalation and chemical burns[6] On the basis of disease duration, epiglottitis is almost always acute in presentation requiring emergency treatment else the outcome is fatal.[7]
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating epiglottitis from other diseases
Screening
Risk factors
Natural history, complication and prognosis
Diagnosis
History and symptoms
Physical examination
Laboratory findings
Xray
ECG
CT scan
MRI
Ultrasound
Other imaging findings
Other diagnostic findings
Treatment
Medical therapy
Surgery
Prevention
References
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- ↑ Lichtor JL, Roche Rodriguez M, Aaronson NL, Spock T, Goodman TR, Baum ED (2016). "Epiglottitis: It Hasn't Gone Away". Anesthesiology. 124 (6): 1404–7. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000001125. PMID 27031010.
- ↑ Charles R, Fadden M, Brook J (2013). "Acute epiglottitis". BMJ. 347: f5235. doi:10.1136/bmj.f5235. PMID 24052580.
- ↑ Mathoera RB, Wever PC, van Dorsten FR, Balter SG, de Jager CP (2008). "Epiglottitis in the adult patient". Neth J Med. 66 (9): 373–7. PMID 18931398.