Acute epiglottitis in Iceland 1983–2005

Pediatric thermal epiglottitis: insights from a tertiary center experience

Thermal epiglottitis, a non-infectious cause of epiglottitis, is a rare entity that shares some clinical features with infectious epiglottitis. This study presents 16 years of experience in diagnosing and managing thermal epiglottitis. A retrospective descriptive study in a tertiary center in southern Israel included confirmed cases of thermal epiglottitis in children (0-18 years) between 2004 and 2020 by endoscopy. Of approximately 600,000 pediatric ER admissions between 2004 and 2020, seven children were diagnosed by endoscopy with thermal epiglottitis (mean age 24 months, 71% males). Clinical presentation included stridor, respiratory distress, and drooling. Four children had fever and elevated inflammatory markers at presentation and were treated with systemic antibiotics. All were treated with systemic steroids. The median length of stay in the PICU was five days, and four patients required intubations. All fully recovered without experiencing any sequelae.  Conclusion: Thermal epiglottitis stands as a potential contributor to acute upper airway obstruction. Although it's rarity, it should be discussed in any child with acute upper airway obstruction. It is essential to inquire directly about the accidental intake of hot beverages, particularly in cases lacking fever or elevated inflammatory markers. What is Known: • Thermal epiglottitis is a rare, non-infectious condition sharing clinical features with infectious epiglottitis. • Common presentations include stridor, respiratory distress, and drooling. What is New: • Thermal epiglottitis is a potential contributor to acute upper airway obstruction, urging consideration even in the absence of fever or elevated markers. • Direct inquiry about hot beverage intake for diagnosis is essential for diagnosis.

Airway management of adult epiglottitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Adult epiglottitis is a life-threatening airway emergency where airway protection is the immediate priority. Despite its importance, the optimal approach to airway management remains unclear. We performed a systematic review of the airway management for adult epiglottitis, including meta-analysis of trends over time.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE®, and Embase® for adult epiglottitis studies that described the airway management between 1980 and 2020. The primary outcome was the prevalence of airway intervention. Secondary outcomes were prevalence of tracheal intubation, tracheostomy, and failed intubation. A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed with subgroups defined by decade of study publication. Cases that described the specific method of airway intervention and severity of epiglottitis were included in a separate technique summary.

Results

Fifty-six studies with 10 630 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The overall rate of airway intervention was 15.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.9-18.8%) but the rate decreased from 20% to 10% between 1980 and 2020. The overall rate of tracheal intubation was 10.2% (95% CI 7.1-13.6%) and that of failed intubation was 4.2% (95% CI 1.4-8.0%). The airway technique summary included 128 cases, of which 75 (58.6%) were performed awake and 53 (41.4%) involved general anaesthesia. We identified 32 cases of primary technique failure.

Conclusion

The rate of airway intervention for adult epiglottitis has decreased over four decades to a current level of 10%. Tracheal intubation is a high-risk scenario with a 1 in 25 failure rate. Specific technique selection is most likely influenced by contextual factors including the severity of epiglottitis.

Intubation decision criteria in adult epiglottitis

OBJECTIVES

To identify contributive criteria in decision-making for intubation in acute epiglottitis, based on clinical and endoscopic data in adult patients, and to study clinical and biological characteristics and management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diagnosis was established by flexible endoscopy showing epiglottic edema in association with general signs of sepsis in 28 patients consulting into two French hospitals between 2005 and 2016. Retrospective univariate and multivariate analysis between patients managed by intubation (Group I) or surveillance (Group S) was performed on clinical and endoscopic data.

RESULTS

Ten patients were intubated (36%). On univariate analysis, 4 variables were suggestively associated with intubation. On multivariate analysis, associations remained suggestive for dyspnea (OR=50.6; 95% CI=[2.7; 940.1]) and supraglottic edema extension (OR=42.2; 95% CI=[2.2; 799.5]). The area under the curve identifying intubated patients on these 2 criteria was 90.8%, testifying to high discrimination.

CONCLUSION

Intubation must always be considered in epiglottitis. Dyspnea and supraglottic extension of the edema seem to be the two main criteria to be considered in airway control decision-making.

End-stage renal disease as a risk factor for epiglottitis: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

Patients with uremia are prone to infection; however, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as a risk factor for acute epiglottitis warrants study. We investigated the risk of severe epiglottitis requiring hospitalisation in patients with ESRD.

SETTING

We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study by using the claims data of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

PARTICIPANTS

We identified an ESRD cohort with 87 908 patients newly diagnosed in 2000-2013 and underwent dialysis. The non-ESRD cohort comprised patients who had not received a diagnosis of ESRD, and they were matches to the ESRD cohort (1:1) by sex, age, residence urbanisation level, monthly income, and diabetes and hypertension status.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The cumulative incidence of epiglottitis at the end of 2013 was analysed with Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests. The HR of epiglottitis was calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model after adjustment for confounding factors.

RESULTS

The overall epiglottitis incidence rate was 94% greater in the ESRD cohort than in the non-ESRD cohort (10.3 vs 5.3 cases per 100 000 person-years, p=0.002), with an adjusted HR of 1.89 (95% CI: 1.23 to 2.91, p=0.004). In the log-rank analysis, compared with the non-ESRD group, the epiglottitis cumulative incidence was significantly higher in the ESRD group (p=0.003). Epiglottitis did not exhibit an association with higher rates of airway interventions, intensive care unit admissions or longer hospitalisation in patients with ESRD than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide matched cohort study indicated that ESRD patients should be monitored for the risk of severe epiglottitis requiring hospitalisation.

Low rates of airway intervention in adult supraglottitis: A case series and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Acute supraglottitis (SG) can potentially lead to rapid airway obstruction. The last few decades have witnessed a shift towards a more conservative approach in airway management of adult SG. This study aims to evaluate this watchful approach based on a large case series combined with a high-level meta-analysis of all reports in the English literature.

METHODS

Retrospective case series and meta-analysis. The medical records of all adult patients diagnosed as having SG who were hospitalized in a large-volume tertiary referral center between January 2007 and December 2018 were reviewed. A meta-analysis was conducted on all English literature published between 1990 and 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 233 patients (median age 49.1 years, 132 males), were admitted due to acute SG during the study period. No airway intervention was required in 228 patients (97.9%). Five patients (2.1%) required preventive intubation, and two of them (0.9%) were later surgically converted to a tracheotomy. Patients who required airway intervention had higher rates of diabetes (P = .001), cardiovascular diseases (P = .036) and other comorbidities (P = .022). There was no mortality. The meta-analysis revealed that the overall intubation rates random effects model was 8.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6%-14.0%] and that the tracheotomy random effects model was 2.2% (95% CI; 0.5%-4.8%). The overall mortality rate was 0.89%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of low rates of surgical airway intervention in patients diagnosed with SG worldwide. A conservative approach in adult SG is safe and should be advocated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2.

Calculated parenteral initial treatment of bacterial infections: Infections in the ear, nose, throat and mouth and jaw area

This is the sixth chapter of the guideline "Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections in adults - update 2018" in the 2nd updated version. The German guideline by the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (PEG) has been translated to address an international audience. The chapter deals with the antibacterial treatment of more severe infections of the ear, the nose, the throat and the maxillofacial region, including odontogenic and salivary gland infections.

Clinical features of patients with acute epiglottitis in the emergency department

Background:

Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition, but its clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific.

Objectives:

We investigated the clinical differences between patients with and those without acute epiglottitis and identified the risk factors of patients with acute epiglottitis who may develop airway compromise.

Methods:

We studied patients suspected of having acute epiglottitis in the emergency department. All patients received fibre-optic laryngoscopy performed by an otorhinolaryngologist and were subsequently divided into two groups: patients with acute epiglottitis and those without.

Results:

Of the 311 adult patients, 108 were diagnosed with acute epiglottitis. In the nonepiglottitis group, more complaints of fever (p < 0.001), cough (p < 0.001), and rhinorrhoea (p = 0.048) and more systemic comorbidities were reported. People with acute epiglottitis generally had a higher prevalence of head and neck tumours (p = 0.015), odynophagia (p = 0.037) and an elevated white blood cell level (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with cardiovascular disease (p = 0.014) or diabetes mellitus (p = 0.019), drooling (p = 0.026) or sore throat (p = 0.042), a high respiratory rate (p = 0.009), an elevated white blood cell level (p = 0.002) and a higher C-reactive protein level (p = 0.005) was higher among those who required airway intervention.

Conclusion:

Clinical manifestations alone were insufficiently reliable for diagnosing acute epiglottitis but could predict disease severity. Laryngoscopy should be performed as soon as possible once a patient is suspected of having acute epiglottitis.

Acute supraglottic laryngitis complicated by vocal fold immobility: prognosis and management

PURPOSE

Acute supraglottic laryngitis (ASL) is manifested by supraglottic inflammation that has the potential for rapid and fatal airway obstruction. Complete/incomplete vocal fold immobility (VFIm) in the setting of ASL may contribute to airway obstruction. The rate of VFIm complicating ASL is not known, and it is not clear whether its occurrence alters the course and the management of ASL, particularly the need to secure the airway (by endotracheal intubation/tracheostomy). This study seeks to describe the natural history of VFIm associated with ASL (ASLIm) and to determine the added effect of VFIm on ASL severity, management, and the need for intervention to secure the airway.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center. The medical records of all patients hospitalized due to ASL between January 2007 and December 2016 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 214 patients admitted due to ASL, VFIm was identified in 9 (4.2%). The VFIms resolved within 1-90 days in all 8 patients with available follow-up of 1-3 months. One patient required endotracheal intubation. The 9 ASLIm patients had significantly higher rates of hoarseness and a history of diabetes mellitus. There was no group difference in the need to secure the airway.

CONCLUSIONS

VFIm is an apparently uncommon finding among patients with ASL. It appears to be usually transient, short-lasting, and full recovery can be expected. VFIm did not alter the ASL course, nor did it put our patients at increased risk for the need for intervention to secure the airway.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of airway intervention in adult epiglottitis

OBJECTIVE

Epiglottitis is typically considered a pediatric disease; however, there is growing evidence that the incidence of adult epiglottitis has changed since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine. The literature is composed of multiple small series with differing findings. To date, there has been no attempt to collaborate evidence on predictors of airway intervention in this disease.

METHODS

The population of interest was adults with a diagnosis of epiglottitis. The primary outcome in this review was incidence of airway intervention. A comprehensive literature search was conducted of the MEDLINE and Embase databases, and a separate random-effects model meta-analysis was undertaken for all outcome data. Moderator tests for comparison between prevaccine and postvaccine estimates were made, and absolute risk difference (RD) and relative risk (RR) calculations were made for all predictors of airway intervention.

RESULTS

Thirty studies and a total of 10,148 patients were finally included for meta-analysis. A significant decrease in airway intervention was seen post vaccine introduction introduction from 18.8% to 10.9% (P = 0.01). The presence of an abscess (RD 0.27, P = 0.04; RR 2.45, P < 0.001), stridor (RD 0.64, P < 0.001; RR 7.15, P < 0.001), or a history of diabetes mellitus (RD 0.11, P = 0.02; RR 2.15, P = 0.01) were associated with need for airway intervention.

CONCLUSION

In the postvaccine era, clinicians should expect to have to secure airways in 10.9% of cases. The presence of an epiglottic abscess, stridor, or a history of diabetes mellitus are the most reliable clinical features associated with need for airway intervention.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 130:465-473, 2020.

Risk of acute epiglottitis in patients with preexisting diabetes mellitus: A population-based case-control study

Objective

Studies have revealed that 3.5%–26.6% of patients with epiglottitis have comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM). However, whether preexisting DM is a risk factor for acute epiglottitis remains unclear. In this study, our aim was to explore the relationship between preexisting DM and acute epiglottitis in different age and sex groups by using population-based data in Taiwan.

Methods

We analyzed data between January 2000 and December 2013 obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The case group consisted of 2,393 patients with acute epiglottitis. The control group comprised 9,572 individuals without epiglottitis, frequency matched by sex, age, urbanization level, and income. Underlying DM was retrospectively assessed in the cases and controls. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between underlying DM and acute epiglottitis.

Results

Of the 2,393 patients, 180 (7.5%) had preexisting DM, whereas only 530 (5.5%) of the 9,572 controls had preexisting DM. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that preexisting DM was significantly associated with acute epiglottitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15–1.75, P = 0.004). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between DM and epiglottitis remained significant for men (aOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.19–2.08, p = 0.002) but not for women. Age-stratified analysis revealed a significant association between DM and acute epiglottitis in patients aged 35–64 years. Use of anti-diabetic agents was not significantly associated with the development of acute epiglottitis among diabetic patients, including oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) alone (aOR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.53–1.46, p = 0.616), and OHA combined with insulin/ insulin alone (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.76–2.22, p = 0.339). The association between presence of diabetes complications and the occurrence of acute epiglottitis was also not significant among diabetic patients in this study setting (aOR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.59–1.26, p = 0.439).

Conclusions

The results of our large-scale population-based case–control study indicate that preexisting DM is one of the possible factors associated with the development of acute epiglottitis. Physicians should pay attention to the symptoms and signs of acute epiglottitis in DM patients, particularly in men aged 35–64 years.

Unexpected custodial death due to acute epiglottitis: A rare autopsy case report

RATIONALE

Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threaten disease, which makes it more challenging to save the life for doctors. Unexpected deaths in custody are a primary cause of concern for the forensic community and doctor worldwide.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present a case of a 44-year-old male detainee who was clinically suspected of dying of acute epiglottitis. The man experienced failure of resuscitation and died after admitted to a hospital.

DIAGNOSES

The autopsy, toxicological testing, the test of immunoglobulin E and bacterial culture suggested the patient died of acute epiglottitis.

INTERVENTIONS

The bacterial culture was performed to imprecisely identify the cause of death.

OUTCOMES

The bacterial culture of the patient's heart blood and nasal and throat swabs showed the presence of the pathogenic microorganism Haemophilus influenza type B.

LESSONS

We aim to provide a reference to the medical and forensic community and remind the local law enforcement agencies on the problems present within the correctional healthcare system through this case report. Additionally, we also aim to increase the current knowledge and understanding on custodial deaths caused by natural diseases.

Clinical evaluation of intravenous ampicillin as empirical antimicrobial treatment of acute epiglottitis

INTRODUCTION

The significant pathogens in acute epiglottitis (AE) are poorly defined in the post Haemophilus influenza type b-vaccine era. Furthermore, there is a lack of clinical evaluations of antibiotic regimens in patients with AE. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of empiric intravenous ampicillin in the treatment of patients with AE.

MATERIALS & METHODS

All patients admitted with AE to the Ear-Nose-Throat Department, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, from 2001 to 2015 were included.

RESULTS

In total, 103 (51 males) patients were included in the study. The median duration of hospitalization was four days. There was no statistical significant difference between patients initially treated with intravenous ampicillin (n = 83) or other antibiotics (n = 20) (p = .26). The antibiotic regimen was altered during admission in 11% of patients, without significant difference between antibiotic groups (ampicillin 10% vs non-ampicillin 15%, p = .44). Complications potentially related to insufficient antibiotic treatment were observed in four (5%) patients initially treated with ampicillin, but in none of the patients initially treated with antibiotics other than ampicillin (p = 1.00). Throat swab cultures and blood cultures frequently yielded negative results.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous ampicillin is efficient as empiric antibiotic therapy for AE patients, leading to a quick recovery and low complication rates.

Infectious and Noninfectious Causes of Epiglottitis in Adults, Review of 24 Patients

Objective

The present study reports the etiological differences, clinical features, management, and patient outcomes between infectious and noninfectious causes of epiglottitis in adult patients.

Methods

The medical records of 24 patients with infectious and noninfectious epiglottitis were investigated. Diagnosis was made by anamnesis and endoscopic examination. On admission, respiratory distress of patients was classified according to Freidman's classification.

Results

Fifteen patients were male, and nine patients were female. Their ages ranged between 24 and 69 years of age (mean, 43.4±11.6). In total, 16 patients were diagnosed with infectious epiglottitis, and eight patients were diagnosed with noninfectious epiglottitis. Of patients with noninfectious epiglottitis, two had angioedema, two had experienced organophosphate ingestion, one had experienced hot water aspiration, one had experienced hot milk aspiration, one had experienced foreign body aspiration (fishbone), and one had epiglottitis due to Behçet's disease. Sore throat was the most common symptoms of infectious and noninfectious epiglottitis in our patients. Odynophagia was the second most common symptom of infectious epiglottitis, and muffled voice was the second most common symptom in noninfectious patients.

Conclusion

Epiglottit is an emergency situation; when a patient is diagnosed with epiglottitis, close follow-up should be performed, and airway support should properly be maintained according to the degree of respiratory distress. Tracheostomy should be performed without hesitation, as needed.

Adult supraglottitis: changing trends

There is no clinical dynamic staging system which scores according to severity all the anatomical regions in adult supraglottitis. The objective of the study was to describe the demographics, clinical presentation, interventions and outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with acute supraglottitis (AS), and to study the correlation of a new AS classification with the need for airway intervention, in comparison with the current classification. This was a retrospective, cohort study conducted at a secondary medical care center. Adults diagnosed with AS from the years 1990-2013 were identified. Data were extracted for demographic and clinical information and there was no intervention. The main outcome and measures were the need for airway intervention. 288 eligible patients were enrolled. AS incidence rate was 4.3/100,000 patients/year. The mean age was 50 ± 16 years. Sore throat (94 %) and dysphagia (88 %) were the most common presenting symptoms. Patients were hospitalized either in the Otolaryngology Department (n = 255, 89 %) or in the Intensive Care Unit (n = 33, 11 %). Of the latter, 19 (58 %) had an airway securing intervention procedure. Our suggested classification was more sensitive than the current one for predicting the need for intubation (p = 0.03). Signs and symptoms of AS in adults are different from those in children. Adult patients presenting with oropharyngeal complaints should be suspected for AS and treated appropriately.

Diagnostic accuracy of lateral neck radiography in ruling out supraglottitis: a prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of lateral neck radiographs (LNR) for acute supraglottitis in adults.

DESIGN

A single centre prospective observational study.

SETTING

Emergency department at Kurashiki Central Hospital, Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients who underwent LNR to detect supraglottitis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Presence of supraglottitis, based on nasopharyngeal laryngoscopy or a follow-up telephone call, 7-30 days after the visit.

RESULTS

140 patients had LNR during the study period. 35 patients were excluded from further analysis because of lack of consent. Of the 105 eligible patients, 21 patients (20%) were given the diagnosis of supraglottitis: 17 of 29 with a radiographic abnormality, and 4 of 76 patients without a radiographic abnormality. Three of the four cases where LNR was negative was grade 1, and all cases of grade 3 or higher had abnormal LNR. Sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) of LNR for supraglottitis were 81.0% (64.2 to 97.7) and 85.7% (78.2 to 93.2), respectively. The positive predictive value of LNR was 58.6% (40.7 to 76.5) and the negative predictive value was 94.7% (89.7 to 99.8). The positive likelihood ratio of LNR was 5.67 (3.27 to 9.82) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.22 (0.10 to 0.51).

CONCLUSIONS

LNR showed only moderate sensitivity and specificity for supraglottitis and would miss some cases of supraglottitis if the pre-test probability is high. LNR was very sensitive for grade 3 or higher supraglottitis, but would miss milder cases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000011928.

Head and neck emergencies: bacterial meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, upper airway obstruction, and jugular septic thrombophlebitis

Head and neck infectious disease emergencies can be rapidly fatal without prompt recognition and treatment. Empiric intravenous (IV) antibiotics should be initiated immediately in any patient with suspected bacterial meningitis, and IV acyclovir in any patient with suspected encephalitis. Surgical intervention is often necessary for brain abscesses, epiglottitis, and Ludwig's angina. A high index of suspicion is often needed to diagnose epiglottitis, Ludwig's angina, and Lemierre's syndrome. Brain infections can have high morbidity among survivors. In this article, the causes, diagnostic tests, treatment, and prognosis are reviewed for some of the more common head and neck infectious disease emergencies.

Rapid assessment of Hib disease burden in Vietnam

Background

Several countries have applied the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) rapid assessment tool (RAT) to estimate the burden of Hib disease where resources for hospital- or population-based surveillance are limited. In Vietnam, we used the Hib RAT to estimate the burden of Hib pneumonia and meningitis prior to Hib vaccine introduction.

Methods

Laboratory, hospitalization and mortality data were collected for the period January 2004 through December 2005 from five representative hospitals. Based on the WHO Hib RAT protocol, standardized MS Excel spreadsheets were completed to generate meningitis and pneumonia case and death figures.

Results

We found 35 to 77 Hib meningitis deaths and 441 to 957 Hib pneumonia deaths among children < 5 years of age annually in Vietnam. Overall, the incidence of Hib meningitis was estimated at 18/100,000 (95% confidence interval, CI, 15.1-21.6). The estimated Hib meningitis incidence in children < 5 years age was higher in Ho Chi Minh City (22.5/100,000 [95% CI, 18.4-27.5]) compared to Hanoi (9.8/100,000 [95% CI, 6.5-14.8]). The Hib RAT suggests that there are a total of 883 to 1,915 cases of Hib meningitis and 4,414 to 9,574 cases of Hib pneumonia per year in Vietnam.

Conclusions

In Hanoi, the estimated incidence of Hib meningitis for children < 5 years of age was similar to that described in previous population-based studies of Hib meningitis conducted from 1999 through 2002. Results from the Hib RAT suggest that there is a substantial, yet unmeasured, disease burden associated with Hib pneumonia in Vietnamese children.

Acute epiglottitis as the initial presentation of pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

We report a case of a 5-year old girl, who initially presented with acute epiglottitis, sepsis and multi-organ failure. She was subsequently diagnosed as having Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. To the best of our knowledge, this article describes the first case of Haemophilus influenzae type f epiglottitis as the initial presentation of SLE in childhood.