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Acute epiglottitis in adults

The Singapore experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

R. E. Stanley  and
T. S. Liang
R. E. Stanley
Affiliation:
32A Pine Court, Lorong ‘L’, Telok Kurau, Singapore1542
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Abstract

Acute epiglottitis in adults is a potentially fatal but self-limiting disease of increasing incidence world-wide.

Forty-two patients, seen consecutively over a four year period at the ENT Department, Singapore General Hospital were reviewed retrospectively.

A strong male predominance with a peak age incidence in the sixth decade was noted. A severe sore throat and dysphagia with disproportionate signs of oropharyngeal inflammation was the main presenting picture. Only three patients had stridor on presentation. Vigilant monitoring of the airway with empirical high-dosh intravenous amicillin, cloxacillin and steroids resulted in a dramatic clinical improvement in most patients and none developed stridor after admission. The yield from throat swabs and blood cultures were low. Two patients developed complications, a Ludwigs angina and an epiglottic abscess. Recurrent epiglottistis was a problem in one patient.

There was low morbidity and no mortality on the management regime outlined.

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 102 , Issue 11 , November 1988 , pp. 1017 - 1021
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1988

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