Page 65 - Portuguese Journal - SPORL - Vol 61. Nº2

Figure 1
Graph showing the symptoms reported by the patients on admission to the SU

remaining symptoms (cough, pharyngeal MEWS on admission was 1.35, and the mode
globus, and referred otalgia) was lower than was 1 (35.3%). The MEWS distribution in the
10.0% (Figure 1 ). remaining patients was 0 (27.5%), 2 (19.6%),
The mean duration of the symptoms was 3 (9.8%), and 4 (7.8%), and the score did not
three days (1–8 days), with 52.9% of the cases exceed 4 in any patient (Figure 2).
experiencing symptoms lasting for 48 hours The mean length of hospital stay was seven
or less. On admission to the SU, a purulent days; however, the most frequent length was
exudate was observed in the supraglottic five days, varying between two and 26 days.
structures of 16 patients (31.4%). Elevation of All patients received intravenous antibiotics,
the inflammatory parameters was confirmed with most being treated with ceftriaxone
in most patients, with leukocytosis in 80.4%, (78.4%), followed by clindamycin (29.3%). Dual
neutrophilia in 76.5%, and elevated C-reactive antibiotics and intravenous corticosteroids
protein (CRP) in 94.1% of patients. Imaging were given to 58.8% and 94.1% of patients,
examinations were requested (lateral X-ray respectively (Table 2).
and/or contrast computed tomography [CT] Regarding the defined outcomes, the
of the neck) for 35 patients (68.6%). The mean frequency of epiglottic abscess (with or

Figure 2
Graph showing the distribution of the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS)

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