Adult epiglottitis.

Epiglottitis is supraglottic inflammation of the oropharynx caused by infective, thermal, or caustic insult. Rapid swelling of the epiglottis results in airway obstruction and asphyxia. Widespread use of HiB vaccination in children has resulted in a reduction in childhood cases of epiglottitis. The majority of adults have not received vaccination, and remain susceptible. Peak incidence is in the 35- to 39-year-old age group with an annual incidence of 0.97-1.8/100,000, approximately 2.5 times the incidence in children (Sack and Brock, 2002; Carey, 1996; Fontanarosa et al., 1989). We present three cases of adult epiglottitis presenting to a District Hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department in Yorkshire over a six-month period.