Sudden Unexpected Death Due To Glottic Oedema – Report of Two Cases SciDoc Publishers | Open Access | Science Journals | Media Partners

Laryngo pharynx or hypo pharynx is the area of pharynx from epiglottis to commencement of oesophagus at the level of cricoid cartilage. Epiglottis is a leaf like yellow structure with free broad upper edge situated behind the root of tongue and hyoid bone. The vocal cords are situated below the attachment of epiglottis. The space between the vocal cords is ‘rima glottidis’ and mucosa covering them is glottis.[1] Glottis is the area of opening to lower respiratory passages. It is the narrowest part of cavity of larynx [2]. The mucous membrane is loosely attached and oedema fluid readily collects there [2]. Oedema of glottic area causes obstruction of air passages resulting in asphyxia. Glottic oedema can be caused by various reasons. It can be due to hypersensitivity, simple inflammation, local infection like epiglottitis, mechanical obstruction etc.[1] During autopsy; glottic oedema due to hypersensitivity, inhalation of smoke in burn cases or endotracheal intubations are usually come across. It can also occur as a complication of endotracheal anesthesia [3]. Glottic oedema by local infection resulting in death is rare. At government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram we had two such cases. Both cases were brought for autopsy since they died before arriving at a diagnosis. Autopsy revealed that death was due to glottic oedema. In these cases glottic oedema resulted from local infection like pharyngeal abscess and epiglottic abscess