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CT in adult supraglottitis
M M Smith1, S K Mukherji, J E Thompson
1Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) reveals characteristic signs of supraglottitis, including tissue thickening and potential abscess formation. CT aids in diagnosing supraglottitis and its complications when endoscopy is not feasible.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Supraglottitis is an inflammation of the upper part of the larynx.
- Diagnosis is typically clinical and endoscopic.
- Computed tomography (CT) can supplement diagnosis and complication assessment.
Observation:
- Three adult cases of supraglottitis were evaluated using CT.
- Key CT findings included epiglottic and vocal cord thickening, preepiglottic space obliteration, platysma muscle thickening, and subcutaneous fat changes.
- One patient presented with loculated fluid collections indicative of abscess.
Findings:
- CT demonstrates specific patterns of inflammation and edema in supraglottitis.
- The imaging findings correlate with the clinical presentation and endoscopic observations.
- CT is valuable for identifying complications such as abscess formation.
Implications:
- CT can confirm supraglottitis when laryngoscopy is difficult or contraindicated.
- Imaging is crucial for evaluating the extent and complications of supraglottitis.
- This study highlights the role of CT in managing supraglottitis.