Epidemiology, presentation, management and outcomes of patients with acute epiglottitis - A 10-year retrospective study based on a tertiary hospital in northern China.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the new clinical characteristics and trends of acute epiglottitis (AE) in northern China.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients diagnosed with AE between January 2014 and December 2023 at a single-center medical institution in northern China. The clinical profiles of patients with AE were investigated.

Results: This study encompassed 366 AE patients (M: F = 1.79:1). The average age of the patients was 47.31 ± 13.18 years, and 33.4% patients had comorbidities. Common initial symptoms: sore throat (93.17%), dysphagia (48.09%), fever (10.65%). Dyspnea reported in 14.48%. AE incidence rose annually over a decade, with mild seasonal variations. Laryngoscopy remains the primary means of confirming AE. Almost all patients received intravenous antibiotic therapy, and 98% of them were also treated with corticosteroids. Emergency airway intervention needed in 2.73% (cricothyroidotomy: 0.54%; tracheotomy: 2.19%). Among all patients, 353 (96.44%) had a good prognosis, 1 death (0.27%) from cardiopulmonary arrest during tracheotomy, 1 anoxic encephalopathy (0.27%) after tracheotomy in the emergency room due to intubation failure.

Conclusion: The incidence rate of AE is on the rise. Even if airway intervention is rarely required, clinicians must maintain a high degree of vigilance and conduct early identification of risk factors and emergencies that could progress severe cases into life-threatening. Furthermore, the development of safe and efficacious management strategies is crucial to prevent catastrophic complications and safeguard patient lives.