Adult Epiglottic Abscess: A Case Report

Abstract

A case of epiglottic abscess in an otherwise healthy adult male is reported. Patient was initially managed as acute epiglottis with parenteral antibiotics, humidified air, and steroids close ICU monitoring. Failure of recovery and re-evaluation revealed an abscess of epiglottis. Management with intubation and incision and drainage of abscess lead to very rapid recovery and subsequent discharge of patient.

A Rare Surgical Emergency in Geriatric Patient: Epiglottic Abscess

“…1,5 The causative agents are generally bacteria, and Haemophilus influenzae type B is primarily responsible. 5,[8][9][10][11] Other bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, β-haemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as well as some viral and fungal agents can also cause epiglottitis. 4,12 Although it is typically known as a pediatric disease in children aged between 2-6 years, with the spread of H. influenzae type B vaccine, a decrease in the pediatric incidence of epiglottitis has been observed.…”

An Atypical Cause of an Epiglottic Abscess

“…An epiglottic abscess is a rare complication of acute epiglottitis that is characterized by supraglottic collection of pus [1]. Although acute epiglottitis is commonly seen in children [2], an epiglottic abscess tends to be a disease of adults [3]. A common causative organism is Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) [2], but due to HIB vaccines, the incidence of HIB epiglottitis has declined.…”

“…Although acute epiglottitis is commonly seen in children [2], an epiglottic abscess tends to be a disease of adults [3]. A common causative organism is Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) [2], but due to HIB vaccines, the incidence of HIB epiglottitis has declined. Although HIB is a common causative organism in children, it is not the only causative organism in adults, and other pathogenic bacteria have been found, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus which may explain the rising incidence of acute epiglottitis in adults [3].…”

Epiglottic abscess and the management of a ‘precious airway’: A case study

“…It is often an infrequent sequela of epiglottitis, occurring in 4% of cases [1], however, rarer causes such as radiotherapy, thermal injuries and caustic trauma have also been described [2]. Since Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) immunization was introduced in Australia in 1993 the incidence of both epiglottitis has reduced dramatically from 20-30 episodes per 100 000 population to 3.3 cases per 100 000 in children under 5 years old with a concurrence decrease in epiglottic abscess [3].…”