Thumb sign (epiglottitis)

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 25 Apr 2019

The thumb sign in epiglottitis is a manifestation of an edematous and enlarged epiglottis which is seen on lateral soft-tissue radiograph of the neck, and it suggests a diagnosis of acute infectious epiglottitis. This is the radiographic corollary of the omega sign 1-3.

See also

Thumb sign is a term also used in other conditions:

  • thumb sign (Marfan disease) (also known as Steinberg sign) 4: a clinical test in which the tip of the thumb is visible medial to the little finger when it is clasped in the clenched hand
  • thumb sign (chordoma): a radiological sign showing a clival tumor projection indenting the pons 5

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