Journal List > Korean J Leg Med > v.39(2) > 1087967

Noh and Lee: Sudden Death from Acute Epiglottitis and Epiglottic Abscess in Adult

Abstract

Acute epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis and adjacent structures. Although the incidence is extremely rare, acute epiglottitis is a life-threatening medical emergency and can cause sudden respiratory obstruction. Herein, we describe two cases of sudden death from epiglottitis and epiglottic abscess. A 39-year-old man and 66-year-old man died after suffering from shortness of breath. Autopsies revealed diffuse swelling and abscess formation in the epiglottis and neighboring structures. These cases emphasize the medicolegal importance of sudden death from acute epiglottitis and epiglottic abscess in adults.

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Fig. 1.
(A) Case 1: diffuse swelling of epiglottis with redness and cystic dilation on the right lingual surface (arrowhead). (B) Case 2: diffuse swelling of epiglottis with the formation of visible, yellowish abscess along the right aryepiglottic fold (arrow).
kjlm-39-49f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Microscopic finding of epiglottitis and epiglottic abscess, with dense infiltration of neutrophils and necrotic material in mucosal and submucosal tissues (H&E, ×20).
kjlm-39-49f2.tif
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