Diagnosis may be confirmed by direct inspection using a laryngoscope, although this may provoke airway spasm. If<unk>  is suspected, attempts to visualise the epiglottis using a tongue depressor are discouraged for this reason; therefore, diagnosis is made on basis of indirect fiberoptic laryngoscopy carried out in a controlled environment like an operating room. Imaging is rarely useful, and treatment should not be delayed for this test to be carried out. File:halloweensign.CT imaging showing the "halloween sign" File:Compare epiglottis.Left column: Normal epiglottis. Right column:<unk> . File:Epiglottitis endoscopy. Swollen epiglottis in laryngoscopy Imaging On lateral C-spine X-ray, the thumbprint sign describes a swollen, enlarged epiglottis. A normal X-ray, however, does not exclude the diagnosis. An ultrasound may be helpful if specific changes are present, but its use (as of 2018) is in the early stages of study. On CT imaging, the "Halloween sign" describes an epiglottis of normal thickness. It can safely exclude the acute<unk> . Furthermore, CT imaging can help to diagnose other conditions such as peritonsillar abscess or retropharyngeal abscess which have similar clinical features.
Epiglottitis
Pharyngitis
Adenoiditis
Croup
Nasal vestibulitis
Laryngitis
Parapharyngeal abscess
Streptococcal pharyngitis