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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.

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Epiglottitis x rays

Introduction

Overview

Overview

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

X Rays

Lateral soft tissue X Ray of the neck

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

References

  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.
  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.
  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.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Achong MR (1979). “Respiratory tract infections in adults”. Can Fam Physician. 25: 1189–93. PMC 2383214. PMID 21297792.
  5. ↑ <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/“>Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/cases/22906“>rID: 22906</a>

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