Simultaneous uvulitis and epiglottitis in adults

The emergency physician must be aware of the varied ways in which epiglottitis can present. This report discusses two adult patients who presented with symptoms and signs indicative of uvulitis who were found to have associated epiglottitis. Neither patient reported respiratory difficulty but both experienced significant pain upon swallowing and were febrile with an enlarged, erythematous uvula. Management consisted of close observation and treatment with an intravenous antibiotic and corticosteroid. The emergency physician should consider the possibility of coexistent epiglottitis in the adult patient who presents with uvulitis.