ENT

Dental Free Air CT Coronal Unannotated. JETem 2025
Visual EM, ENT

A Case Report of Facial Swelling and Crepitus Following a Dental Procedure

Given the physical exam findings of crepitus on the right neck up to the right lower eyelid, a maxillofacial CT scan without contrast was performed. It revealed diffuse subcutaneous air within the soft tissues of the face and neck and free air within the pre-septal soft tissue of the right eye, appearing as hyperlucent (dark) areas on CT within the soft tissue planes (blue outline). It showed no evidence of post-septal free air. A single-view chest X-ray was also performed and was unremarkable except for incompletely imaged soft tissue gas in the right lower neck (blue outline). On flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy performed by ENT, the oropharynx appeared diffusely edematous and narrowed.

Uvular Necrosis Photo. Unannotated. JETem 2025
Visual EM, ENT

Case Report of Post-Operative Uvular Necrosis Following Intubation

The distal portion of her uvula was necrotic with a clear demarcation approximately halfway up the uvula. She had no trauma to the anterior oropharyngeal structures, tonsils, or adenoids. There were no lesions to the hard or soft palate. She had no carotid bruits or thrills, and no tenderness over the anterior portion of the neck.

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Visual EM, ENT, Procedures

A Man with Sore Throat—A Case Report

Video laryngoscopy of the upper airway was performed two days after initial burn injury. The images obtained demonstrated laryngeal edema and inflammation near the epiglottis. The dot identifies the epiglottis and the asterix identifies the area of moderate thermal burns. Imaging also demonstrated adequate patency of airway and ruled out the need for intubation at that time.

Creative Commons images
ENT, Procedures, Visual EM

Evaluation of ACE-inhibitor Induced Laryngeal Edema Using Fiberoptic Scope: A Case Report

Physical exam was initially significant for swelling isolated to the right sided cheek and upper lip. There was no edema to lower lip, uvular swelling, or swelling to the submandibular space. She was speaking full sentences and did not endorse any voice changes. Initial vital signs were as follows: BP 125/77, HR 74, RR 16, and oxygen saturation of 100% on room air. Approximately 40 minutes later, after 125 mg solumedrol intravenous (IV) and 50mg diphenhydramine by mouth, swelling had spread to the entire upper lip and the patient reported spreading to her jaw (Photo 1). Although no jaw or submandibular edema was appreciated on physical exam, a flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope was used to evaluate the patient’s airways given worsening symptoms. Viscous lidocaine was applied intranasally five minutes prior to the procedure. The patient was positioned in a seated position on the stretcher. A flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope was then inserted through the nares and advanced slowly. Laryngoscopy showed diffuse edema of the epiglottis, arytenoids, and ventricular folds (see photos 2-4). Vital signs and respiratory status remained stable both during and after the procedure.

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ENT, Visual EM

A Case Report of Epiglottitis in an Adult Patient

At the time of presentation to the ED, laboratory results were significant for leukocytosis to 11.8 x 109 white blood cells/L and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of 52 mmHg on venous blood gas. Computed tomography (CT) of the soft tissue of the neck with contrast showed edematous swelling of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic fold with internal foci of gas (blue arrow) and partial effacement of the laryngopharyngeal airway and scattered cervical lymph nodes bilaterally (Figure 1). Findings were consistent with epiglottitis containing nonspecific air. Additionally, the pathognomonic “thumbprint sign” (yellow arrow) was found on lateral x-ray of the neck (Figure 2). The CT findings as shown in figure 3 illustrate lateral view of the swelling of the epiglottis, gas, and blockage of the airway.

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