Thumbprint sign
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In radiology, the thumbprint sign is a finding on a lateral C-spine radiograph that suggests the diagnosis of epiglottitis. 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 x-ray, thumbprinting (or the "thumb print sign") has similar appearance of thumbs protruding into the intestinal lumen, but are in fact caused by thickened edematous mucosal folds.[1]. Abdominal thumbprinting is a sign of intestinal ischemia.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Page 111 in:Elizabeth D Agabegi; Agabegi, Steven S. (2008). Step-Up to Medicine (Step-Up Series). Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-7153-6.
- ^ Acute epiglottitis at eMedicine
