Acute laryngotracheobronchitis and epiglottitis.

RESPIBATORY OBSTRUCTION iS one of the most serious problems in infants and children. Laryngotracheobronchitis and epiglottitis may cause acute respir~ttory obstruction. Epiglottitis alone can be one of the causes of sudden~ death in ~hfldhood. 1,n,I2 Unless we are familiar with the clinical features of these conditions, proper treatment may not be instituted in time to prevent death. During the past twenty years, a number of papers on acute laryngotracheobronchitis and epiglottitis have appeared in the literature, 1-s but few have dealt with the associated anaesthetic problems. In this paper, the conditions are considered together in view ,of the similarity of the onset, although the clinical cou}se can be different. Also the cause for alarm is the same in each disease; the anaesth'etist is called for one reason, I namely relief of acute respiratory obstruction.