Garyfalia Ampanozi1, Sabine Franckenberg1,2, Wolf Schweitzer1, Michael J Thali1, Vasiliki Chatzaraki1,3. 1. Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 2. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 3. Department of Radiology, Cantonal Hospital Baden, Baden, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Calcification of the epiglottis is a normal physiological degenerative process, although it can also be a consequence of infection or trauma. There are three possible forensically relevant consequences from epiglottic calcification: misinterpretation as foreign bodies, dysphagia as a major contributing factor to aspiration, and association with difficult intubation or a misplaced ventilation tube. It is the aim of this study (I) to inquire about the prevalence of epiglottic calcification in postmortem CT in general and (II) to investigate whether calcification of the epiglottis is linked to a higher incidence of failed endotracheal intubation. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 2930 consecutive cases in postmortem CT at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. RESULTS: The prevalence of epiglottic calcification was 4.1%. Higher age and male sex are associated with an increased risk of epiglottic calcification. There was no calcification of the epiglottis in the cases with misplacement of the ventilation tube in the esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: To verify the result of our study, that is, the calcification of the epiglottis is not linked to a higher incidence of failed endotracheal intubation, it might be reasonable to repeat this study with a more representative study population. The high interindividual variations of calcified epiglottis could be used for identification.
OBJECTIVES: Calcification of the epiglottis is a normal physiological degenerative process, although it can also be a consequence of infection or trauma. There are three possible forensically relevant consequences from epiglottic calcification: misinterpretation as foreign bodies, dysphagia as a major contributing factor to aspiration, and association with difficult intubation or a misplaced ventilation tube. It is the aim of this study (I) to inquire about the prevalence of epiglottic calcification in postmortem CT in general and (II) to investigate whether calcification of the epiglottis is linked to a higher incidence of failed endotracheal intubation. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 2930 consecutive cases in postmortem CT at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. RESULTS: The prevalence of epiglottic calcification was 4.1%. Higher age and male sex are associated with an increased risk of epiglottic calcification. There was no calcification of the epiglottis in the cases with misplacement of the ventilation tube in the esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: To verify the result of our study, that is, the calcification of the epiglottis is not linked to a higher incidence of failed endotracheal intubation, it might be reasonable to repeat this study with a more representative study population. The high interindividual variations of calcified epiglottis could be used for identification.
Authors: Erik von Elm; Douglas G Altman; Matthias Egger; Stuart J Pocock; Peter C Gøtzsche; Jan P Vandenbroucke Journal: Lancet Date: 2007-10-20 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Alba Castán Senar; Laura E Dinu; José M Artigas; Raquel Larrosa; Ylenia Navarro; Elena Angulo Journal: Radiographics Date: 2017 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 5.333