A 2-year-old child presents with high fever, stridor, drooling, and difficulty in swallowing. The child is sitting upright with the neck extended. The most likely diagnosis is:
- A Acute tonsillitis
- B Retropharyngeal abscess
- C Acute epiglottitis ✓
- D Diphtheria
Correct answer: C. Acute epiglottitis
Explanation
The classic triad of acute epiglottitis includes stridor, drooling, and sitting upright with neck extended. The child appears toxic and has difficulty swallowing. Retropharyngeal abscess typically presents with neck stiffness and inability to extend the neck. Acute tonsillitis does not cause stridor or drooling. Diphtheria presents with a grayish membrane on the tonsils and pharynx, not the acute respiratory distress described.
Reference: Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.