Premium
Croup and epiglottitis: A radiologic study
Author(s) -
Stankiewicz James A.,
Bowes Anita King
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198510000-00001
Subject(s) - croup , epiglottitis , medicine , clinical judgement , retrospective cohort study , respiratory distress , radiography , larynx , chest radiograph , epiglottis , radiology , pediatrics , surgery , intensive care medicine
Because of the controversy regarding the benefits of the lateral neck and chest radiographs in the evaluation of croup and epiglottitis, a two‐part retrospective study was initiated. Part I consisted of a retrospective chart review of 44 patients with a final diagnosis of croup and epiglottitis. Part II consisted of the 42 Interal neck and chest x‐rays from patients in part I presented to six radiologists who knew only the patients age and the history of respiratory distress. Two hundred forty‐six responses were obtained. The results of the part I study showed that 64% of patients with documented epiglottitis had a positive radiologic diagnosis. Only 33% of patients with croup had a positive radiologic diagnosis and importantly 27% had a diagnosis of possible epiglottitis. The results of part II showed 38% of the documented epiglottitis patients had a positive lateral neck radiograph. The croup patients had a lateral neck and/or chest x‐ray positive in 38%. Of interest, 24% had readings consistent with possible epiglottitis. Based on this two‐part study, it is our conclusion that the lateral neck and chest x‐ray may be unreliable and inaccurate in the diagnosis of croup and epiglottitis. Caution and good clinical judgement should be utilized when interpreting these x‐rays.