Epiglottic enlargement is often seen on lateral neck radiographs and it's accepted to confirm clinical suspicion of acute epiglottitis only on this finding 1. However, an enlarged epiglottitis has a wide range of differentials that should be considered.
-
neoplasm
- hemangioma
- lymphangioma
- carcinoma
- lymphoma
-
bleeding disorders
- hemophilia
- prothrombin deficiency
- Von Willebrand disease
- platelet function defects
-
allergic or edematous reaction
- angioneurotic edema 1
- drug reaction
- ingestion of caustic substances
- foreign body
- smoke
- infection
- granulomatous disease
-
anatomical variants
- congenital aryepiglottic enlargement
- Omega epiglottis
-
traumatic
- intubation 1
- others