[Acute epiglottitis in the adult].

Epiglottitis is a well-defined syndrome caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B in children. It also may affect adults and has an unpredictable clinical course, sometimes complicated with airway obstruction. Two cases of adult epiglottitis are reported. The first responded favorably to medical treatment and the second required emergency airway surgery. Indicators of poor prognosis are described. Epiglottitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis as a potentially lethal cause of sore throat.