Acute herpes simplex laryngotracheitis: Report of two pediatric cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a rare cause of laryngotracheitis (LT) with only 22 previously reported and confirmed pediatric cases in the literature. It is often associated with immune deficiency states and presents with a severe acute upper airway obstruction commonly requiring intensive care management and artificial ventilation. We present two cases of atypical laryngotracheitis in which HSV was found to be the causative pathogen subsequent to laryngoscopy and microbiologic investigations. While the first case was a previously well 8-month-old girl, the second was a 22-month-old immunosuppressed boy. One-third of the total confirmed cases in the English literature required intensive care management eliciting the setting as a pointer to the diagnosis. Laryngoscopy is a readily available tool for rapid diagnosis and controlled securing of the airway. This step may avoid controversial and potential counter-productive use of systemic steroids in these cases.