Thumbprint sign
| Thumbprint sign | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lateral radiograph showing the "thumb sign". The diagnosis of epiglottitis was confirmed on subsequent imaging and laryngoscopy. The patient recovered following treatment with prednisone and ceftriaxone | |
| Differential diagnosis | epiglottitis |
In radiology, the thumbprint sign, or thumbprinting, is a radiologic sign found on a radiograph that suggests the diagnosis of either epiglottitis or intestinal ischemia.
In a
radiograph, the sign is caused by a thickened free edge of the epiglottis, which causes it to appear more radiopaque than normal, resembling the distal thumb
.
In an abdominal
intestinal ischemia.[2]
References
- ISBN 978-0-7817-7153-5.
- ^ Acute epiglottitis at eMedicine
External links