Acute laryngeal abscesses.

The clinical features of laryngeal abscess have changed markedly since the introduction of antibiotics and are rarely seen by clinicians today. Three cases of acute laryngeal abscess associated with malignancy, airway instrumentation and a preexisting laryngocele respectively are presented. Management of these cases included immediate tracheostomy, intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage. Current etiological factors and modes of presentation are discussed. Laryngeal abscess remains a serious and potentially lethal problem requiring emergent treatment. Serious sequelae may result from this disease.