Epiglottitis

  • Etiology: classically due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in 2-5 year old, now due to Staphylococcus / Streptococcus in 10-11 year old, swollen epiglottis + swollen areyepiglottic folds cause airway obstruction
  • Imaging: lateral radiograph shows supraglottic process with swollen epiglottis + thickened aryepiglottic folds, subglottic trachea normal, thumb sign = imprint of swollen epiglottis on airway
  • Complications: can obstruct airway, need to have someone who can manage obstructed airway with patient at all times
  • Clinical: symptoms are sore throat / drooling / high grade fever, appear toxic with stridor / dysphagia / restless / respiratory distress / head tilted forward to keep airway open, symptoms are less severe in older patients today

Radiology Cases of Epiglottitis

Radiograph of epiglottitis
Lateral radiograph of the airway shows an enlarged epiglottis + thickened aryepiglottic folds.

Endoscopy Cases of Epiglottitis

Endoscopic image of epiglottitis
Endoscopic image shows an enlarged epiglottis and thickened areyepiglottic folds with an endotracheal tube in the trachea.

Gross Pathology Cases of Epiglottitis

Gross pathological image of epiglottitis
Gross pathological image shows a swollen epiglottis in the midline of the specimen with thickened aryepiglottic folds visible lateral to it.