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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occasionally causes acute laryngitis, requiring emergency treatment. Understanding the characteristic laryngeal findings can help diagnose COVID-19 earlier, prevent worsening infection, and properly manage airway obstruction. Herein, we report the case of a 44-year-old male with acute epiglottitis likely caused by COVID-19. On presentation, chest computed tomography (CT) showed no signs of pneumonia. However, the larynx had extensive necrotic-like erosive lesions resembling those of tuberculous laryngitis. COVID-19 was diagnosed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and secondary bacterial superinfections were suspected after blood testing. The symptoms improved after administration of antibiotics (sulbactam sodium/ampicillin sodium), steroids (dexamethasone), and favipiravir. The patient developed a high fever on the sixth day of hospitalization, and pneumonia was identified on CT. Various culture tests, including tuberculosis, were negative. Thus, remdesivir was administered for COVID-19-induced pneumonia. The patient gradually recovered, was transferred to another hospital, and was discharged on the 35th day of hospitalization. Six previous case reports of COVID-19-induced acute epiglottitis suggested that acute epiglottitis preceded the onset of pneumonia. The laryngeal findings from this report may be useful for diagnosing COVID-19 that does not cause pneumonia and for bringing attention to pneumonia after a COVID-19 diagnosis.
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INTRODUCTION: Acute epiglottitis is a potentially fatal condition due to high risk of respiratory failure from upper airway obstruction and resultant difficulty securing a patent airway. The etiology is most commonly infectious although noninfectious etiologies have been identified. We present a rare case of acute epiglottitis as a presentation of COVID-19. DESCRIPTION: A 37-year-old male with a past medical history of health presented due to acute throat pain with difficulty swallowing, and without dyspnea or cough. The patient took no medications or supplements, had no known sick contacts, chemical inhalation, recent travel, or any known allergies. He had never received vaccination for COVID-19. He occasionally smoked cigarettes and marijuana, and did not consume alcohol or use illicits. The patient was febrile and had a swollen, tender submandibular area and tender cervical lymphadenopathy. Solids, liquids, and saliva were difficult to swallow but he was in no respiratory distress. A CT of the neck showed the classic "thumb sign" of a thickened epiglottis as well as thickening of the laryngeal soft tissues. Visualized by flexible laryngoscopy, the epiglottis was erythematous and severely swollen;vocal cords functioned normally. He had neutrophilic predominant leukocytosis with monocytosis. A nasopharyngeal swab PCR was positive for SARS-CoV-2, however a broad work up for other viral and bacterial pathogens was negative. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and high dose corticosteroids. After five days of monitoring, no intubation or airway intervention was needed. He improved as he tolerated a liquid diet and was discharged home with antibiotics. DISCUSSION: 18 cases of acute epiglottitis associated with COVID-19 have been reported, and the incidence is likely underestimated. The mechanism of epiglottitis in SARSCoV- 2 infection is poorly understood;whether directly caused by the virus versus by Increased susceptibility to bacterial superinfection. Clinicians should be aware of this condition due to the high risk of airway compromise and mortality without prompt diagnosis and appropriate management. Early involvement of skilled providers is critical as patients may require nasotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, or emergent cricothyrotomy.
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SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Case Report Posters 3 SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 01:45 pm INTRODUCTION: Epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis which can be life-threatening in the absence of prompt intervention. Although primarily a pediatric condition, streptococcus pneumonia has been identified as a common pathogen in adults. SARS-CoV 2 has been known to affect a multitude of systems including the upper respiratory tract, but rarely the epiglottis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old female with a past history of hypertension, and hypothyroidism presented with acute onset pharyngodynia and dysphagia with a feeling of throat closing up due to swelling and difficulty speaking. She had a recent COVID-19 diagnosis and was doing well except for mild fatigue. Upon presentation, she was hemodynamically stable. Physical exam revealed posterior pharyngeal edema without any exudate, mildly edematous uvula, and no stridor. Laboratory data was pristine except for elevated inflammatory markers. Rapid streptococcal test and MRSA swab were negative. Sputum culture showed usual respiratory flora and blood cultures were negative. A neck CT showed diffuse edema without any evidence of abscess. Laryngoscopy performed by the ENT surgeon revealed diffuse edema including epiglottitis. Emergent intubation revealed supra and epiglottis edema sparing the vocal cords. The patient was given Decadron and Benadryl to help with the edema along with clindamycin and subsequently transferred to ICU for further care. She was treated with Ceftriaxone for 7 days due to a chest X-ray finding of pneumonia. As for COVID 19 treatment, she received a course of Remdesivir and Decadron. Decadron was given at an increased interval to reduce edema around the epiglottis. Her ICU course was complicated with hypotension requiring intermittent vasopressor support, and acute kidney injury from ischemic acute tubular necrosis which slowly improved. Repeat CT chest showed bibasilar consolidations with peripheral ground-glass opacities. In view of hospital-acquired pneumonia, she was started on Ertapenem. Her clinical condition improved and she was successfully extubated. She was shifted to the floors from where she was discharged without any further complications. DISCUSSION: There are only two other reported cases of COVID 19 epiglottitis. The patient's advanced age and obesity were non-modifiable risk factors, but the COVID-19 infection played a role. The virus can lead to excessive upregulation of the host inflammatory response through repeat epithelial and endothelial damage leading to a cytokine storm, which may be responsible for this presentation. A great level of attention is to be maintained while attending to these patients given the multitude of systems that can be affected. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 is a potential cause of life-threatening acute epiglottitis. Early suspicion and direct visualization of the epiglottis is the key to success for early management. Reference #1: Emberey J, Velala SS, Marshall B, et al. Acute Epiglottitis Due to COVID-19 Infection. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2021;8(3):002280. Published 2021 Mar 3. doi:10.12890/2021_002280 Reference #2: Smith C, Mobarakai O, Sahra S, Twito J, Mobarakai N. Case report: Epiglottitis in the setting of COVID-19. IDCases. 2021;24:e01116. doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01116. Epub 2021 Apr 7. PMID: 33842206;PMCID: PMC8025537. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Arunava Saha
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Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis with or without the involvement of supraglottic structures including the hypopharynx. Timely diagnosis is crucial as the treatment of epiglottitis is tailored to the degree of airway obstruction. Most patients improve with conservative measures, while some require an emergent airway intervention. We report a case of a 39-year-old Caucasian male with a history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and smoking who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a sore throat, dry cough, odynophagia, and difficulty swallowing. He was afebrile, tachycardic, tachypneic, hypertensive, and saturating at 99% on room air. His physical examination was remarkable for drooling, muffled voice, pharyngeal swelling, and erythema. Laboratory tests were significant for leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 14.3% with a negative infectious workup. Lateral neck X-ray and emergent direct fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed findings of epiglottitis with airway patency. The patient did not require intubation and was started on intravenous dexamethasone, vancomycin, ampicillin-sulbactam, and humidified air with suctioning of secretions and quickly recovered. In addition to known risk factors for developing epiglottitis such as uncontrolled diabetes and smoking, our patient was exposed to metal shavings at his new job, an occupational hazard that might have contributed to his clinical presentation. Our case highlights the importance of a prompt diagnosis and risk factor identification in the management of epiglottitis in adults.
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BACKGROUND: In humans, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a variable presentation ranging from mild self-limiting respiratory tract infections to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: We present the case of a patient who developed acute epiglottitis after surgery for an intracranial tumour and was subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. RESULTS: A 58-year-old female patient developed acute-onset respiratory distress on day 6 after intracranial surgery. Neck computed tomography revealed near-total airway obstruction due to severe edoema of the epiglottis and periepiglottis. The patient's SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test was positive. Viral respiratory tract panel and sputum and blood cultures were negative. She completed the antiviral and antibacterial treatment regimens recommended by the chest disease department. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that epiglottitis can be an unusual manifestation of COVID-19.