Self-inflicted Traumatic Acute Epiglottitis due to Use of Tongue Scraper in Adults: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Introduction: Acute Epiglottitis (AE) is an uncommon disease in healthy individuals but can be potentially life-threatening if left undiagnosed and untreated due to the risk of sudden airway obstruction. Aim: To identify the various characteristics, like demographics, clinical manifestations, and modes of management, in a series of adult patients with self-inflicted traumatic AE. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective single-centre descriptive study conducted in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in Al Azhar Medical College and Superspeciality Hospital in Thodupuzha, Idukki, Kerala, India and included all adult patients over the age of 18 years with self-inflicted traumatic AE due to the use of tongue scrapers from July 2022 to December 2023. The AE was diagnosed by flexible nasolaryngoscopy, which showed congested and oedematous epiglottis. Soft-tissue neck lateral view radiographs was used to confirm the diagnosis. Various demographic details-including age, gender, history of trauma, clinical symptoms, and signswere evaluated along with treatment modalities. For descriptive statistics, the categorical variables were presented as ratios and proportions, while numerical data were presented as means and standard deviations. Results: A total of 16 patients were included, out of which five were males and 11 were females. All patients had a history of self-inflicted trauma while aggressively using metallic tongue scrapers. The mean age of presentation was 42.43 years. The most common symptom was sore throat (100%) and odynophagia (100%), followed by muffled voice (87.5%) and fever (75%). All patients were treated conservatively with broadspectrum antibiotics and steroids. None of present patients had significant complications. Conclusion: The AE is a life-threatening condition which has to be diagnosed at the earliest. The use of tongue scrapers should not be advocated to avoid the potential side effects.