ENT

Epiglottitis

Epiglottitis or supraglottitis is acute swelling around the laryngeal inlet that can obstruct the airway rapidly; keep the person calm and upright, avoid throat manipulation, call senior anaesthetic and ENT help and secure the airway before tests or routine treatment.

Definition

Epiglottitis or supraglottitis is acute inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and adjacent supraglottic structures. It can rapidly obstruct the laryngeal inlet and is a medical emergency requiring airway-focused assessment and treatment.

First principles

A small amount of supraglottic swelling can close the airway

The epiglottis and surrounding supraglottic tissues sit at the laryngeal inlet. Infection-related oedema narrows this short, critical airway, and distress, lying flat or instrumentation can worsen obstruction or precipitate complete airway loss.

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