Epiglottitis
Pronunciation: ep-ih-GLOT-eye-tis
An acute, potentially life-threatening infection causing inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and supraglottic structures, leading to severe upper airway obstruction.
Full Definition
Epiglottitis, historically caused predominantly by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), has become rare in children following widespread Hib vaccination but remains important in incompletely vaccinated populations and adults. It presents with the abrupt onset of high fever, dysphagia, drooling, and a 'tripod' posturing. Unlike croup, cough is typically absent. The classic lateral neck X-ray finding is the 'thumbprint sign' representing a swollen epiglottis. Editors should be aware that 'epiglottitis' and 'croup' are frequently confused in lay descriptions but represent pathophysiologically distinct entities; any conflation in clinical documentation warrants a query to the author.
Usage
Usage note: Note the single 't' spelling: 'epiglottitis', not 'epiglotitis'. Distinguish clearly from croup in all pediatric respiratory manuscripts.
In Context
- "The lateral neck radiograph demonstrated the thumbprint sign, confirming the clinical suspicion of epiglottitis." — Radiology report
- "The author incorrectly described the child's barking cough as consistent with epiglottitis; the editor queried whether croup was the intended diagnosis." — Manuscript peer-review query