Adult epiglottitis: The Toronto Hospital experience

Objective: This study was conducted to gain insight into the diagnosis, tre atment, and outcome measures in adult patients presenting with acute epiglo ttitis. Method: A retrospective clinical study was conducted on fifty-seven consecu tive adult patients presenting with acute epiglottis over a 13-year period to The Toronto Hospital, University of Toronto. Demographic description of patient population, presenting symptoms and signs, investigations performed , treatment provided, and incidence of complications were described. Results: Soft-tissue lateral neck x-rays were abnormal in 88.1% of patients tested but had a 12% false-negative rate. Indirect, direct, or flexible la ryngoscopy were the most accurate investigations to establish diagnosis and were not associated with any complications. Four of 45 patients (8.9%) had positive blood cultures for Haemophilus influenzae, with the remainder dem onstrating no growth, while 22% of patients (8/36) grew possible pathogenic organisms on throat culture. A rapid clinical course (< 12 hr), evidence o f tachycardia, or positive pharyngeal or blood cultures were factors that s elected for a group of patients requiring formal airway intervention. Conclusions: Adult epiglottitis is different from its paediatric counterpar t in that organism identification is less common, the clinical course is mo re gradual, there is less seasonal variation, airway compromise is more unc ommon, and conservative airway management can be contemplated in the select ed patient. Adult epiglottitis can be managed safely with a selective appro ach to airway management with airway intervention for any patient with sign s of critical airway compromise.