Viral supraglottitis in an adult: a case presentation and literature update.
Viral epiglottitis (supraglottitis) is a rare entity but its presentation can mimic that of bacterial epiglottis. Regardless of the causative agent, supraglottitis is a serious disease mostly affecting children and rarely seen in adults. Early suspicion and proper evaluation are mandatory to prevent a life-threatening crisis. In both children and adults the infectious aetiology in supraglottitis is predominantly bacterial while viruses are rare, especially in adults. We describe a case of supraglottitis in an adult in which the symptoms were insidious and blood indices suggested a bacterial aetiology. However, laryngoscopic examination revealed an ulcer over the left aryepiglottic fold and serology was positive for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) IgM. Because supraglottitis due to HSV is a rare entity with few reported cases in the literature, this case is presented to highlight the viral involvement in this disease and its management.
Musharrafieh
U M
UM
Department of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon. um00@aub.edu.lb
Araj
G F
GF
Fuleihan
N S
NS
D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*