[Epiglottitis in adults]. / Epiglottite de l'adulte.

From 1987 to 1989, 14 adults with acute epiglottitis were seen and treated at the ENT clinic of Geneva. All patients presented with a severe sore throat as primary symptom. An indirect laryngoscopy, which bears no risk in adults, was performed and revealed a swollen, cherry-red epiglottis. The course of the disease is unpredictable, and rapid development of airway obstruction may occur. In most cases, these patients can be treated medically with antibiotics and corticoids, and there is no need for systematic orotracheal intubation. However, patients presenting with respiratory distress syndrome or stridor require intubation, which may be impossible because of edema of the epiglottis. Therefore, a surgeon must be ready to perform a tracheotomy.