 |
|
Adult SupraglottitisA Prospective Analysis
Jo Shapiro, MD;
Roland D. Eavey, MD;
Ann Sullivan Baker, MD
JAMA. 1988;259(4):563-567.
Abstract
| |
Epiglottitis in pediatric patients is an infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, which can lead rapidly to sepsis and an asphyxial death. In an effort to study the cause and clinical course of adult epiglottitis, eight serially hospitalized adult patients with supraglottitis over a ten-month period were prospectively evaluated, including a daily laryngeal examination. Although multiple anatomic sites in the larynx and oropharynx were inflamed, the epiglottis was often not the most involved area and was actually normal in one patient. Bacterial cultures were harvested from blood, the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the vallecula in all patients and the preepiglottic space in two patients. In no case was H influenzae demonstrated. No patient developed respiratory compromise. It was concluded that epiglottitis is an inaccurate description of this disorder and that this non—H influenzae adult variety of supraglottitis seemingly can follow a less pernicious course than the classically described infection.
(JAMA 1988;259:563-567)
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Otology and Laryngology (Drs Shapiro and Eavey) and the Medical Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Division of Infectious Disease (Dr Baker), Massachusetts General Hospital, the Joint Center for Otolaryngology (Dr Shapiro), and the Harvard Medical School (Drs Shapiro, Eavey, and Baker), Boston.
Footnotes
Reprint requests to 333 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115 (Dr Shapiro).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Tenderness Over the Hyoid Bone Can Indicate Epiglottitis in Adults
Ehara
J Am Board Fam Med 2006;19:517-520.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Acute Epiglottitis in Adults: Analysis of 129 Cases
Frantz et al.
JAMA 1994;272:1358-1360.
ABSTRACT
|
