We have located links that may give you full text access.
A reappraisal of the radiologic findings of acute inflammation of the epiglottis and supraglottic structures in adults.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology 1995 March
PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic characteristic of acute inflammation of the epiglottis and supraglottic structures in adults.
METHODS: The clinical and radiographic findings in 27 adult patients with epiglottitis (average age, 43 years; range, 28 to 81 years) were compared with those of a control group of asymptomatic subjects (n = 15; average age, 48 years; range, 24 to 79 years). Unusual clinical aspects in the current series included two patients who were positive for human immunodeficiency virus, 1 with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Kaposi sarcoma, 3 with emphysematous epiglottitis, 1 with abscess formation, and 1 with laryngeal carcinoma. One patient required emergency tracheostomy. One patient died of pneumonia.
RESULTS: The ratio of the soft-tissue parameters to the anteroposterior width of the C-4 vertebral body yielded three key parameters of high statistical significance in adult epiglottitis. The ratio of the width of the epiglottis to the anteroposterior width of C-4 should not be greater than 0.33 (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 100%). The ratio of the prevertebral soft tissue to C-4 should not exceed 0.5 (sensitivity, 37%; specificity, 100%) and the ratio of the width of the hypopharyngeal airway to the width of C-4 should be less than 1.5 (sensitivity, 44%; specificity, 87%). The aryepiglottic folds were enlarged in 85%, and the arytenoids were swollen in 70% of the patient population (specificity, 100%).
CONCLUSION: These defined radiologic parameters should aid in the diagnosis of acute epiglottitis in adults.
METHODS: The clinical and radiographic findings in 27 adult patients with epiglottitis (average age, 43 years; range, 28 to 81 years) were compared with those of a control group of asymptomatic subjects (n = 15; average age, 48 years; range, 24 to 79 years). Unusual clinical aspects in the current series included two patients who were positive for human immunodeficiency virus, 1 with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Kaposi sarcoma, 3 with emphysematous epiglottitis, 1 with abscess formation, and 1 with laryngeal carcinoma. One patient required emergency tracheostomy. One patient died of pneumonia.
RESULTS: The ratio of the soft-tissue parameters to the anteroposterior width of the C-4 vertebral body yielded three key parameters of high statistical significance in adult epiglottitis. The ratio of the width of the epiglottis to the anteroposterior width of C-4 should not be greater than 0.33 (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 100%). The ratio of the prevertebral soft tissue to C-4 should not exceed 0.5 (sensitivity, 37%; specificity, 100%) and the ratio of the width of the hypopharyngeal airway to the width of C-4 should be less than 1.5 (sensitivity, 44%; specificity, 87%). The aryepiglottic folds were enlarged in 85%, and the arytenoids were swollen in 70% of the patient population (specificity, 100%).
CONCLUSION: These defined radiologic parameters should aid in the diagnosis of acute epiglottitis in adults.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app