The epiglottis is the toilet seat of the airway. That’s a useful function. But what if becomes so swollen and inflamed that it leads to airway obstruction and respiratory failure. That’s bad. That’s also what epiglottitis is. You can also call it supraglottitis. Either way you need to recognize this potentially life threatening malady and secure a definitive airway in the sickest patients ASAP.

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Epiglottitis – PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast – Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd – April 12. 2023

Mycoplasma pneumoniae – PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast

In this episode we dive into the resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae—an atypical bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia that’s making waves in pediatric emergency medicine. We’ll cover its clinical presentation, epidemiology, diagnostic approach, and management, including why standard beta-lactam antibiotics won’t work. Plus, we’ll discuss whether M. pneumoniae even needs to be treated in the first place! Learning Objectives […]
  1. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  2. Inhalant Misuse: From Glue to Galaxy Gas
  3. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (in the Pediatric Emergency Department)
  4. Pertussis
  5. Gastroesophegeal Reflux and Gastritis

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References

Rafei K, Lichenstein R. Airway infectious disease emergencies. Pediatr Clin North Am 2006; 53:215.

Sobol SE, Zapata S. Epiglottitis and croup. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2008; 41:551.

Richards AM. Pediatric Respiratory Emergencies. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2016 Feb;34(1):77-96. PMID: 26614243.

Faden H. The dramatic change in the epidemiology of pediatric epiglottitis. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2006 Jun;22(6):443-4. PMID: 16801849