title: The pale epiglottitis--a misnomer or not?
abstract: Several leading authors on acute epiglottitis have reported a pale appearance of the swelling of the epiglottis in otherwise seemingly classical cases of acute epiglottitis. In order to understand this phenomenon better, a thorough review of the literature was done but only scarce comments were gathered. There seems to be a spectrum of appearance of the epiglottis in acute epiglottitis, the erythema as well as the edema varying independently from mild to marked. A striking feature of this type of epiglottitis is that, despite seemingly appropriate treatment, a most treacherous evolution was reported: four out of 12 cases presented a severe sudden apnea and two others developed an abscess. Aggressive antibiotherapy and steroidotherapy are suggested as well as a prophylactic nasotracheal intubation.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004825:Epiglottis; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007819:Laryngeal Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents