
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Croup x ray
Introduction
Overview
Overview
X Ray findings in croup patients include evidence of steeple sign: narrowing of the subglottic lumen in the neck. It also includes a visibly distended hypopharynx in some cases.
Key X Ray Findings in Croup
Key X Ray Findings in Croup
- Steeple sign is seen on anteroposterior radiographs of the soft tissues of the neck.[1]
- Normal lateral convexities of the subglottic trachea are lost, and narrowing of the subglottic lumen produces an inverted V configuration in this area.
- The point of the inverted V is at the level of the inferior margin of the true vocal cords.
- Narrowing of the subglottic lumen alters the radiographic appearance of the tracheal air column, which resembles a steeply pitched roof or a church steeple.
- The lateral radiograph of the upper airway will show a normal epiglottis and narrowing of the subglottic region.[1]
- Distension of the hypopharynx can is also be revealed by x ray, indicating a patient’s attempt at decreasing airway resistance.
X Ray Examples in Croup
X Ray Examples in Croup
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Lateral view of the steeple sign in a croup patient that also displays distended hypopharynx. From Radiopaedia Image Library. [2]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

![Frontal view of the steeple sign in a croup patient. From Radiopaedia Image Library. [2]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/8/80/Croup-002.jpg)
![Frontal view of the steeple sign in a croup patient. From Radiopaedia Image Library. [2]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/f/f1/Croup-003.jpg)
![Lateral view of the steeple sign in a croup patient. From Radiopaedia Image Library. [2]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/8/81/Croup-004.jpg)
![Lateral view of the steeple sign in a croup patient that also displays distended hypopharynx. From Radiopaedia Image Library. [2]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/e/ee/Croup-005.jpg)