Identifying acute epiglottitis in adults
| Autor: | Jonathan L. Sack, Clive D Brock |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2002 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
medicine.medical_specialty Haemophilus Infections medicine.medical_treatment Stridor Laryngoscopy Epiglottitis medicine Sore throat Humans Intubation Intensive care medicine Racemic epinephrine medicine.diagnostic_test business.industry Haemophilus influenzae type b General Medicine Airway obstruction medicine.disease Anti-Bacterial Agents medicine.symptom business Odynophagia medicine.drug |
| Zdroj: | Postgraduate Medicine. 112:81-86 |
| ISSN: | 1941-9260 0032-5481 |
| DOI: | 10.3810/pgm.2002.07.1258 |
| Popis: | Epiglottitis can be a rapidly fatal condition in adults. Important clues that should raise clinical suspicion include the tripod sign, fever, stridor, sore throat, odynophagia, shortness of breath, and drooling. These features must be differentiated from those associated with common viral infections. The most helpful diagnostic studies are radiography of the neck and direct laryngoscopy. The patient's airway should be monitored during evaluation to avoid obstruction. Successful management requires teamwork between the primary care physician and personnel skilled in intubation as well as timely consultation with an otolaryngologist. Laryngoscopy and intubation always should be performed by the most skilled personnel because repeated attempts may increase periepiglottal swelling and the risk of airway obstruction. Racemic epinephrine should be avoided because of the rebound effect. Awareness of the possibility of epiglottitis in adults and close monitoring of the airway are the keys to management of this potentially life-threatening condition. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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