Back to Basics: A Case of Adult Epiglottitis

Abstract

The authors report a case of a 69-year-old female with difficulty swallowing and neck swelling and review the clinical presentation, radiographic features and treatment of adult epiglottitis. Epiglottitis remains a medical emergency, with the potential for airway compromise. The authors present this case because it is a potentially life-threatening infection that warrants prompt diagnosis and management. This case is worth reporting because epiglottis in adults can have a milder and less classic presentation that sometimes results in delayed recognition.