SIMULTANEOUS UVULITIS AND EPIGLOTTITIS IN ADULTS

The emergency physician must be aware of the varied ways in which epig lottitis can present, This report discusses two adult patients who pre sented with symptoms and signs indicative of uvulitis who were found t o have associated epiglottitis. Neither patient reported respiratory d ifficulty but both experienced significant pain upon swallowing and we re febrile with an enlarged, erythematous uvula, Management consisted of close observation and treatment with an intravenous antibiotic and corticosteroid. The emergency physician should consider the possibilit y of coexistent epiglottitis in the adult patient who presents with uv ulitis. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.