Epiglottitis | |
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Other names | Acute supraglottitis |
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Neck X-ray showing thumbprint sign. | |
Specialty | Otolaryngology |
Symptoms | Trouble swallowing, drooling, changes to the voice, fever, increased breathing rate, stridor[1][2] |
Usual onset | Rapid[1][2] |
Causes | H. influenzae type b, burns, trauma to the area[1] |
Diagnostic method | Medical imaging, looking at the epiglottis[3][1] |
Prevention | Hib vaccine, rifampin[4][5] |
Treatment | Endotracheal intubation, intravenous antibiotics, corticosteroids[1][2][4] |
Prognosis | 5% risk of death[3] |
Frequency | ~2 per 100,000 per year[1][6] |
Epiglottitis is the inflammation of the epiglottis—the flap at the base of the tongue that prevents food entering the trachea (windpipe).[7] Symptoms are usually rapid in onset and include trouble swallowing which can result in drooling, changes to the voice, fever, and an increased breathing rate.[1][2] As the epiglottis is in the upper airway, swelling can interfere with breathing.[7] People may lean forward in an effort to open the airway.[1] As the condition worsens, stridor and bluish skin may occur.[1]
Epiglottitis was historically mostly caused by infection by H. influenzae type b (commonly referred to as "Hib").[1] With vaccination, it is now more often caused by other bacteria, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Staphylococcus aureus.[1] Predisposing factors include burns and trauma to the area.[1] The most accurate way to make the diagnosis is to look directly at the epiglottis.[3] X-rays of the neck from the side may show a "thumbprint sign" but the lack of this sign does not mean the condition is absent.[1]
An effective vaccine, the Hib vaccine, has been available since the 1980s.[4] The antibiotic rifampicin may also be used to prevent the disease among those who have been exposed to the disease and are at high risk.[5] The most important part of treatment involves securing the airway, which is often done by endotracheal intubation.[1] Intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and possibly vancomycin or clindamycin is then given.[2][4] Corticosteroids are also typically used.[1] With appropriate treatment, the risk of death among children with the condition is about one percent and among adults is seven percent.[3]
With the use of the Hib vaccine, the number of cases of epiglottitis has decreased by more than 95%.[8] Historically, young children were mostly affected, but it is now more common among older children and adults.[4] In the United States, it affects about 1.3 per 100,000 children a year.[1] In adults, between 1 and 4 per 100,000 are affected a year.[6] It occurs more commonly in the developing world.[9] In children the risk of death is about 6%; however, if they are intubated early, it is less than 1%.[5]
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