Upper Airway Disorders

Upper airway disorders are frequently encountered in the primary care setting and present in both adults and children.  This review covers earache, sinusitis, sore throat, peritonsillar abscess, sialolithiasis and sialadenitis, parotitis, epiglottitis, epistaxis, foreign body in the ear, nose, or throat, and Ludwig angina. Figures show right-sided peritonsillar abscess demonstrating swelling and distortion of the anterior and posterior tonsillar pillars and uvular deviation, peritonsillar abscess demonstrated by an ultrasound image of a hypoechoic fluid collection, ultrasound imaging of sagittal view of the tonsillar pillars, lateral radiograph of the neck demonstrating a swollen epiglottis and widened vallecula, photographs of brawny swelling of the submandibular region of the neck in Ludwig angina, and a patient with peritonsillar abscess with extension to the base of the tongue. Tables list criteria for diagnosing acute sinusitis, and clinical presentations that best identify patients with acute bacterial versus viral rhinosinusitis.   This review contains 7 figures, 11 tables, and 61 references. Key words: Epiglottitis, epistaxis, parotitis, peritonsillar abscess, pharyngitis, sialolithiasis, sinusitis