Acute inflammation of epiglottitis and supraglottic structures in adults.

Acute epiglottitis, an unusual cause of acute upper airway obstruction in adults, is probably more common than previously recognized. While the history and physical findings are characteristic, the clinical diagnosis is often unsuspected. Radiographic findings include swelling of the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, arytenoids, uvulae, and prevertebral soft tissues, with ballooning of the hypopharynx and mesopharynx and obliteration of the valeculae. The epilgottic airway may show a characteristic pencil-thin configuration due to edema.