Post-Varicella Epiglottitis and Necrotizing Fasciitis Christopher L. Slack, MD*; Gregory C. Allen, MD*; John E. Morrison, MD, FAAP‡; Kurt C. Garren, MD*; and Mark G. Roback, MD§ ABSTRACT. Varicella is a nearly ubiquitous acquired cultures were taken. The right lateral pharyngeal wall was bulg- childhood disease. Infectious complications of varicella ing, further obscuring the airway. The right parapharyngeal space can be life- or limb-threatening. These complications was aspirated but no fluid was encountered. appear 3 to 4 days after the appearance of varicella exan- On arrival to the intensive care unit, the patient’s vital signs were: temperature 38.4°C, respiratory rate 37 breaths/minute, them and are heralded by fever, pain, and erythema of pulse 116 beats/minute, and blood pressure 126/87 mm Hg. His the overlying skin. Airway complications of varicella are white blood cell count was 14.1 with 43% neutrophils and 51% rare, rapidly evolving, and, unfortunately, difficult to bands. His immunization status was up to date. He had received visualize. We report a child who presented with a unique the entire series of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib) but combination of varicella-induced airway complica- not the varicella vaccine. The epiglottal swab showed Gram-pos- tions—acute epiglottitis and subsequent necrotizing fas- itive cocci in pairs and chains. ciitis of the head and neck. Pediatrics 2000;105(1). URL: The patient initially was given vancomycin, acyclovir, and ce- http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/105/1/e13; fotaxime. Later that evening, his neck swelling worsened and varicella, epiglottitis, necrotizing fasciitis, group A b- bedside palpation resulted in the expression of foul smelling fluid about and within the tracheotomy. A computed tomography (CT) hemolytic streptococcus, nasopharyngoscopy. scan was performed that showed extensive soft tissue swelling with fascial plane separation and subcutaneous emphysema in the posterior pharynx, carotid sheath, and mediastinum (Fig 2). A ABBREVIATIONS. Hib, Haemophilus influenzae type b; CT, com- radiolucency consistent with abscess was observed in the retro- puted tomography; GABHS, group A b-hemolytic streptococcus. pharynx. A provisional diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis with retropha- . ryngeal abscess was made. Open neck exploration confirmed the erologic studies indicate that 90% of the US diagnosis. Bilateral neck fasciotomy, irrigation, and intraoral ret- population is exposed to varicella before 20 ropharyngeal drainage with drain placement were performed. He years of age.1 Reports of life- and limb-threat- required blood pressure support with dopamine, 5 mg/kg/ S minute, for 32 hours after his initial exploration. Cultures of the ening superinfection of varicella lesions are increas- b ing. We present the case of a rapidly evolving post- blood, epiglottis, retropharynx, and neck grew group A -hemo- lytic streptococcus (GABHS; Streptococcus pyogenes). Staphylococcus varicella airway emergency. aureus was cultured from his retropharyngeal abscess and neck exploration. Viral culture results were negative. His antibiotics CASE REPORT were changed to clindamycin and penicillin. Acyclovir was dis- An 8-year-old boy with a 3-day history of varicella exanthem continued when the last varicella lesion had scabbed over. presented to the pediatrician’s office after 15 hours of rapidly Over the course of a 3-week hospital stay he received 3 more evolving sore throat, high fever, vomiting, and stridor. He was neck wound explorations to irrigate and debride with eventual immediately transported by ambulance to our pediatric tertiary tracheal decannulation 1 day before departure. He was sent home care facility with notification enroute given to the otolaryngologist on oral clindamycin with penrose neck drains in place. He re- by the emergency physician. On emergency department arrival, ceived a total of 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy. the patient exhibited biphasic stridor with severe retractions of the rib cage and sternum. Pulse oximetry on 100% oxygen by face DISCUSSION mask was 98%. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed a swollen, erythem- Varicella is a nearly ubiquitous pathogen, infecting atous epiglottis with a possible right parapharyngeal abscess. He ; was taken immediately to the operating room for definitive air- 3.8 million children annually in the United States 1 way management. alone. Complications of varicella led to hospitaliza- The patient was anesthetized with intravenous midazolam 2 tion of ;177 per 100 000 children infected.2 Bacterial mg, and sevoflurane 8% in oxygen. Muscle relaxant was admin- superinfection of the skin is the most common com- istered after a trial of mask ventilation was successful. After 2 plication of varicella, with GABHS the most frequent unsuccessful intubation attempts by experienced pediatric anes- 3 thesiologists and failed rigid bronchoscopy, an emergent trache- causative organism. otomy was performed under mask anesthesia. Diagnostic laryn- Predisposing factors for GABHS bacteremia in goscopy and bronchoscopy thereafter revealed epiglottitis with children include varicella, leukemia, and conditions multiple varicella ulcerations on the hypopharynx and posterior that compromise the integument.4 Post-varicella pharyngeal wall (Fig 1). Aerobic, anaerobic, and viral wound GABHS has a well-documented association with ne- crotizing fasciitis and toxic shock. It has recently been reported as a causative organism in epiglottitis.5 From the Departments of *Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, ‡An- esthesiology, and §Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of The incidence of epiglottitis and Hib disease has Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Denver, Colorado. declined dramatically since the introduction of the Received for publication Jun 22, 1999; accepted Aug 17, 1999. Hib vaccine in 1988.6 Before the vaccine, 80% of Reprint requests to (C.L.S.) Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, epiglottitis was caused by Hib. Introduction of this Children’s Hospital, 1056 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218. E-mail: 7 [email protected] vaccine has made epiglottitis a rare entity. Epiglot- PEDIATRICS (ISSN 0031 4005). Copyright © 2000 by the American Acad- titis is a rapidly evolving disease with a median emy of Pediatrics. prodrome of 17 hours and blood culture proven bac- http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/105/1/Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/newse13 byPEDIATRICS guest on September Vol. 27, 105 2021 No. 1 January 2000 1of3 Fig 1. Acute epiglottitis with varicella ulceration on the posterior hypopharyn- geal wall (white arrowhead). teremia in 79%.7 It manifests with respiratory dis- tissue films of the lateral neck are often used to tress, fever, and a toxic appearance. An artificial evaluate suspected epiglottitis, they require precious airway is required in .75% of cases.7 time and an attendant with the ability and equip- When epiglottitis is suspected, current pediatric ment to provide definitive airway management emergency texts recommend minimal patient stimu- should airway obstruction occur. Nasopharyngos- lation and visualization of the epiglottitis in a con- copy by the otolaryngologist was used effectively trolled environment (operating room) by physicians and safely in this case of a toxic-appearing child with highly skilled in airway management (anesthesiolo- suspected epiglottitis to quickly and noninvasively gists and surgeons).8 Agitation of the patient may evaluate the airway in the trauma bay. However, a lead to complete airway obstruction. Although soft cricothyrotomy kit was available and all aggressive Fig 2. Axial CT scan showing exten- sive soft tissue swelling and subcuta- neous emphysema in the retropharyn- geal space (black arrow) and bilateral carotid sheaths. 2of3 POST-VARICELLADownloaded EPIGLOTTITIS from www.aappublications.org/news AND NECROTIZING by FASCIITIS guest on September 27, 2021 airway visualization and management procedures signs of infection in children with varicella exanthem occurred in the operating room. of 3 to 4 days’ duration warrants urgent evaluation. Unsuccessful intubation and bronchoscopy cou- The use of clindamycin to treat GABHS and imme- pled with difficult mask ventilation in our patient diate operative intervention in necrotizing fasciitis is with varicella induced ulceration of the posterior strongly recommended. Lastly, the varicella vaccine, pharyngeal wall may have caused the extensive sub- with a 98% seroconversion rate, may prevent com- cutaneous air demonstrated by CT scan. Whether plications of varicella by eliminating the primary this initiated or facilitated the spread of the necrotiz- infection. It may ultimately prove as far reaching as ing fasciitis is uncertain. the Hib vaccine in mediating epiglottitis.16 The association of post-varicella necrotizing fasci- itis and GABHS is being documented more frequent- REFERENCES 9–11 ly. The mean duration of varicella exanthem be- 1. Choo PW, Donahue JG, Manson JE, Platt R. The epidemiology of fore secondary symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis is 3 varicella and its complications. J Infect Dis. 1995;172:706–711 to 4 days.9,11 After this time, children will present 2. Shreck P, Shreck P, Bradley J, Chambers H. Musculoskeletal complica- with persistent or recurrent fever .38.5°C, erythema, tions of varicella. J Bone Joint Surg. 1996;78A:1713–1719 3. Aebi C, Ahmed A, Ramilo O. Bacterial complications of primary vari- focal pain, and localized tissue swelling. Admission cella in children. Clin Infect Dis.