title: CT in adult supraglottitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mukherji
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castillo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents