抄録
Twenty two adults with acute epiglottitis were discussed. Four required tracheostomy because of delayed diagnosis. There were no deaths. Epiglottitis occures more often in adults than is generally recongnized. The early symptoms of epiglottitis in adults are sore throat and dysphagia. Seventeen occurrences were in malas, hence, establishing an 3.4:1 male: female incidence ratio. The mean age at the time of affliction was 43.4 years. Throat and blood cultures were obtained from fifteen cases. Cultures from only three patients were positive for H. influenzae and streptococcus. The mean white blood cell count was 14, 800 with a left shift of the granulocytic series. The mean blood sedimentation rate was 58.7mm in 1 hour. The X-ray appearance of acute epiglottitis was so characteristic and striking that it cannot be confused with any others. The epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds were swollen and appeared to fill the hypopharynx. The swelling stopped abruptly at the level of the glottis, the subglottic larynx and trachea being clear. The primary treatment of adult with epiglottitis was intravenous steroids, antibiotics, and humidified oxygen. Tracheostomy was indicated if the disease progressed during the first six hours of treatment.
