structures that can result in complete-and potentially fatal-airway obstruction in both children and adults
.
INTRODUCTION:
Because of the danger of airway obstruction, acute epiglottitis constitutes a medical emergency, particularly in children, and prompt diagnosis and airway protection are of utmost importance.
Etiology
After the introduction of the Hib vaccine in the mid-1980s, disease incidence among children declined dramatically.
In adults and (more recently) in children, a variety of other bacterial pathogens have been associated with epiglottitis, the most common being group A Streptococcus. Other pathogens seen less frequently include.
1.S. pneumoniae
2.Haemophilus parainfluenzae
3.S. aureus.
Viruses have not yet been established as causes of acute epiglottitis.
Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis.
Epiglottitis typically presents more acutely in young children than in adolescents or adults.
On presentation, most children have had symptoms for