Epiglottitis x rays

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

On lateral soft tissue X-ray of the neck, the thumbprint sign a finding that suggests the diagnosis of epiglottitis is seen.^[1]^[2]^[3] The thumbprint sign is a manifestation of swollen and edematous epiglottis. This shows as a hemispherical mass at the base of the tongue replacing the normal slender coma shape of the epiglottis.^[4]

X Rays[edit | edit source]

Lateral soft tissue X Ray of the neck[edit | edit source]

On lateral soft tissue X-ray of the neck, the thumbprint sign is finding that suggests the diagnosis of epiglottitis is seen.^[1]^[2]^[3] The thumbprint sign is a manifestation of swollen and edematous epiglottis. This shows as a hemispherical mass at the base of the tongue replacing the normal slender coma shape of the epiglottis as shown in the image below:^[4]

Single upright lateral radiograph reveals a markedly thickened epiglottis,
the classic "thumb" appearance (arrow).
Note is also made of oxygen tubing around the patient's ears and nose.
Image courtesy of Dr Andrew Ho, ^[5]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Grover C (2011). "Images in clinical medicine. "Thumb sign" of epiglottitis". N Engl J Med. 365 (5): 447. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1009990. PMID 21812674.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Raj PP, Larard DG, Diba YT (1969). "Acute epiglottitis in children. A respiratory emergency". Br J Anaesth. 41 (7): 619–27. PMID 5798842.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Stuart MJ, Hodgetts TJ (1994). "Adult epiglottitis: prompt diagnosis saves lives". BMJ. 308 (6924): 329–30. PMC 2539273. PMID 8124122.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 Achong MR (1979). "Respiratory tract infections in adults". Can Fam Physician. 25: 1189–93. PMC 2383214. PMID 21297792.
↑ <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/">Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/cases/22906">rID: 22906</a>

[pmid21812674-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Grover C (2011). "Images in clinical medicine. "Thumb sign" of epiglottitis". N Engl J Med. 365 (5): 447. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1009990. PMID 21812674.

[pmid5798842-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Raj PP, Larard DG, Diba YT (1969). "Acute epiglottitis in children. A respiratory emergency". Br J Anaesth. 41 (7): 619–27. PMID 5798842.

[pmid8124122-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Stuart MJ, Hodgetts TJ (1994). "Adult epiglottitis: prompt diagnosis saves lives". BMJ. 308 (6924): 329–30. PMC 2539273. PMID 8124122.

[pmid21297792-4] 4.0 ^4.1 Achong MR (1979). "Respiratory tract infections in adults". Can Fam Physician. 25: 1189–93. PMC 2383214. PMID 21297792.

[abc-5] <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/">Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/cases/22906">rID: 22906</a>

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