Acute epiglottitis

Acute epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening inflammatory condition of the epiglottis and adjacent supraglottic structures, including the aryepiglottic folds and vallecula Although historically most common in young children prior to widespread vaccination against *Haemophilus influenzae* type b, it can affect patients of any age, with modern incidence shifting predominantly toward adults Pathophysiologically, bacterial invasion or less frequent noninfectious insults trigger seve...

Acute epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening inflammatory condition of the epiglottis and adjacent supraglottic structures, including the aryepiglottic folds and vallecula Although historically most common in young children prior to widespread vaccination against *Haemophilus influenzae* type b, it can affect patients of any age, with modern incidence shifting predominantly toward adults

Pathophysiologically, bacterial invasion or less frequent noninfectious insults trigger severe supraglottic cellulitis and marked edema within the respiratory tract This localized swelling rapidly impairs airflow, characteristically manifesting as severe sore throat, odynophagia, dysphagia, drooling, a muffled voice, and potentially fatal upper airway obstruction

This localized swelling rapidly impairs airflow, characteristically manifesting as severe sore throat, odynophagia, dysphagia, drooling, a muffled voice, and potentially fatal upper airway obstruction