Citation

Mayo-Smith MF, Spinale J. J. Emerg. Med. 1997; 15(4): 483-485.

Affiliation

Veterans Administration Medical Center, Manchester, New Hampshire 03104, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9279700

Abstract

Four cases of acute epiglottitis due to thermal injury were identified in a larger study of 407 cases of epiglottitis in Rhode Island from 1975 through 1992. All occurred in young adults (aged 22-33 yr) and were caused by the inhalation of heated objects when smoking illicit drugs (a tip of a marijuana cigarette in 1 case and metal pieces from crack cocaine pipes in 3 cases). Symptoms, signs, and X-ray and laryngoscopic findings were similar to infectious epiglottitis. All recovered with observation and intravenous antibiotics; none required intubation. Emergency physicians should be aware of this etiology when managing young adults who present with acute epiglottitis.

Language: en