Open AccessAcute epiglottitis: A review of 50 patients
Author(s) -
Shafkat Ahmad Lon,
Mohd Lateef,
Mir Sajad
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.229
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2231-3796
pISSN - 0973-7707
DOI - 10.1007/bf03050781
Subject(s) - medicine , odynophagia , epiglottitis , otorhinolaryngology , throat , incidence (geometry) , head and neck surgery , laryngoscopy , acute tonsillitis , throat culture , pediatrics , tracheotomy , surgery , dysphagia , intubation , tonsillitis , streptococcus , physics , bacteria , biology , optics , genetics
We reviewed 50 patients admitted to the department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery of Govt Medical College Srinagar from September 19% to September 2002 diagnosed with acute epiglottitis. Male were more commonly involved than females in the ratio of 2.8:1 with only 6 cases younger than 10 years of age. The highest incidence was in the month of January (22%). The common symptoms of acute epiglottitis were sorethroat(92%) and odynophagia(88%). Any patient with sudden onset of these symptoms should be suspected of having acute epiglottitis and should have an indirect laryngoscopy. Blood culture was obtained in 20 cases Cultures were positive only in 5 cases, out of which 4 were positive for Hemophilus influenzae type B. Throat cultures were not obtamed The primary treatment of acute epiglottitis is intravenous antibiotics, steriods, and humidified air. Treacheostomy was needed only in 4 patients. There were no deaths.