Steeple sign
| Steeple sign | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The steeple sign as seen on an anteroposterior neck X-ray of a child with croup | |
| Differential diagnosis | Croup |
In
tracheal narrowing produces the shape of a church steeple within the trachea itself.[1][2] The presence of the steeple sign supports a diagnosis of croup, usually caused by paramyxoviruses.[3]
it can also be defined as the replacement of the usual squared-shoulder appearance of the subglottic area by cone-shaped narrowing just distal to the vocal cords. This is called the steeple or pencil-point sign.
References
- ISBN 9781451153910.
Radiologic confirmation of proximal narrowing of the subglottic space can be • obtained by an AP radiograph of the neck; typically, a "steeple sign" is noted referring to the similar appearance of a church steeple.
- ISBN 9781550093452.
This type of narrowing is typically present in croup and is known as the steeple sign on the anteroposterior radiograph given its similarity to a church steeple.
- PMID 10924564.
External links