Radiologic laryngeal parameters in acute supraglottitis in Korean adults

Soft-tissue lateral neck radiography is important for diagnosing acute supr aglottitis. This study aimed to determine the objective criteria for a diag nosis of acute supraglottitis from soft-tissue lateral neck radiographs in Korean adults. The parameters in 30 adult patients with acute supraglottiti s were compared with those of age- and sex-matched normal 30 Korean adults. The mean of epiglottis width (EW) and aryepiglottic fold width (AEW) in th e control group were 4.37 +/- 0.93 mm, 2.45 +/- 0.71 mm, respectively and i n the patient group they were 15.87 +/- 3.60 mm, 6.4 +/- 2.55 mm, respectiv ely. The sensitivity and specificity of an EW greater than 7 mm were 100%, and 100% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of an AEW greater th an 4.5 min were 83%, and 100% respectively.