Lateral X-ray of the upper airway in a 2-year-old boy reveals a "thumb sign". The most likely diagnosis is:: (A) Laryngeal polyps, (B) Epiglottitis, (C) Subglottic hemangioma, (D) Laryngeal edema
Answer is B. Ans. B. EpiglottitisEpiglottitis is characterized by inflammatory edema of the epiglottis along with upper airway obstruction. It is usually a cause of severe respiratory distress in young children and is associated with sudden onset high fever, drooling of saliva and the child in a typical "tripod position". Cause is usually S. pneumonia, or less frequently, H. influenza.