TY - JOUR PY - 1997// TI - Thermal epiglottitis in adults: a new complication of illicit drug use JO - Journal of emergency medicine A1 - Mayo-Smith, M. F. A1 - Spinale, J. SP - 483 EP - 485 VL - 15 IS - 4 N2 - Four cases of acute epiglottitis due to thermal injury were identified in a larger study of 407 cases of epiglottitis in Rhode Island from 1975 through 1992. All occurred in young adults (aged 22-33 yr) and were caused by the inhalation of heated objects when smoking illicit drugs (a tip of a marijuana cigarette in 1 case and metal pieces from crack cocaine pipes in 3 cases). Symptoms, signs, and X-ray and laryngoscopic findings were similar to infectious epiglottitis. All recovered with observation and intravenous antibiotics; none required intubation. Emergency physicians should be aware of this etiology when managing young adults who present with acute epiglottitis.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0736-4679 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -