American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol 17, Issue 7 1355-1358, Copyright © 1996 by American Society of Neuroradiology
ARTICLES |
CT in adult supraglottitis
MM Smith, SK Mukherji, JE Thompson and M Castillo
Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
We describe the CT appearance of supraglottitis and its complications in three adults. The most common CT findings were thickening of the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, false and true vocal cords, obliteration of the preepiglottic fa, thickening of the platysma muscle, and reticulation of the subcutaneous fat. Multiple loculated fluid-density collections consistent with abscesses were seen in one patient. Although the diagnosis of supraglottitis is generally made on the basis of the patient's history and by direct endoscopy, CT may be used to confirm the diagnosis when an adequate laryngoscopic examination cannot be performed. CT is also useful in evaluating the complications of this disorder.