Snapshot A 4-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with neck pain and shortness of breath. His mother reports that he has been having difficulty with walking and has been complaining of neck pain 1 day prior to presentation. On physical exam, the patient is in the tripod position, drooling, and is unable to speak or cough. Otolaryngology and anesthesiology are consulted to secure his airway. The patient is urgently brought into the operating room for surgical drainage. Introduction Definition login to view 1 more bullet Microbiology login to view 3 more bullets Epidemiology Incidence login to view 2 more bullets Risk factors login to view 5 more bullets ETIOLOGY Pathogenesis login to view 2 more bullets Presentation Symptoms/physical exam login to view 5 more bullets Imaging CT scan of the neck with contrast login to view 3 more bullets Studies Making the diagnosis login to view 1 more bullet Differential Epiglotitis login to view 2 more bullets Ludwig angina login to view 5 more bullets Treatment Medical login to view 4 more bullets Operative login to view 7 more bullets Procedural login to view 7 more bullets Complications Airway obstruction Mediastinitis Internal jugular vein thrombosis Septicemia