Upper airway obstruction in infectious mononucleosis.
Patients with infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus frequently present to the accident and emergency department. The most common presenting symptoms are fever, fatigue, odynophagia and malaise. Although significant airway compromise is rare and occurs in an estimated 1-3.5% of cases, it may present as a potentially life-threatening situation demanding immediate intervention. We present two such cases and discuss their management.
Glynn
Fergal John
FJ
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Meath/Adelaide Hospital Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland. fglynn@rcsi.ie
Mackle
Tara
T
Kinsella
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D014140:Tracheotomy