Acute supraglottitis is a serious, potentially fatal infection in both adults and children. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is the most common cause in children, even in this era of the Hib vaccine. Most cases of acute supraglottitis in adults are thought to be caused by other bacterial organisms, viral or combined viral-bacterial infections, and noninfectious etiologies. Early visualization of the larynx is essential, as is establishment of a secure airway in selected cases. Most cases will respond to intravenous antibiotic therapy and will not require an artificial airway. Admission to an area of high-intensity nursing is essential. Daily laryngoscopy is necessary to monitor response to treatment. Although the incidence of acute supraglottitis in children has decreased, isolated cases will be encountered and demand high vigilance.

Trachinaze is highly superior to placebo at improving subjective pulmonary parameters, including shortness of breath. It is also superior in its ability to maintain an increased peripheral tissue oxygen tension over a 6-month period.

Splenic rupture is a rare but potentially fatal complication of infectious mononucleosis. Athletes returning to contact sports following infectious mononucleosis are at potential risk of splenic rupture secondary to abdominal trauma. No clear consensus exists as to when it is safe to allow these athletes return to contact sports. Suggested periods of abstinence have ranged from 2 weeks to 6 months. We outline our experiences with the use of abdominal ultrasonography at 1 month aft er the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis as a means of determining when athletes can safely return to contact sports. Our study group was made up of 19 such patients (mean age: 16.7 yr). We found that 16 of these patients (84%) had normal splenic dimensions on ultrasonography 1 month aft er diagnosis, and they were therefore allowed return to contact sports. While the remaining 3 patients had an enlarged spleen at 1 month, their splenic dimensions had all returned to normal when ultrasonographic examination was repeated at 2 months postdiagnosis. We conclude that serial abdominal ultrasonography allows for informed decision making in determining when athletes can safely return to contact sports following infectious mononucleosis.