Sail sign (larynx)

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 21 Apr 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Deng F, Bell D, Sail sign (larynx). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 24 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-76664

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-76664

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/76664

rID:

76664

Article created:

26 Apr 2020, Francis Deng ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Francis Deng had no recorded disclosures.

View Francis Deng's current disclosures

Last revised:

21 Apr 2021, Daniel J Bell ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.

View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Head & Neck

Sections:

Signs

Synonyms:

Sail sign of vocal cord paralysis
Laryngeal sail sign
Larynx sail sign
Sail sign of the larynx

The sail sign of the larynx refers to the axial appearance of unilateral dilatation of the laryngeal ventricle due to vocal cord/fold paralysis. It should not be confused with the several other sail signs in radiology.

Radiographic features

CT

Axial images at the level of the glottis show the following findings ^1-3:

anteromedial rotation of the arytenoid cartilage
medial position of the posterior vocal cord margin
air distension of the laryngeal ventricle

The shape of the airway medially in combination with the unilateral dilated laryngeal ventricle take the appearance of a ship's sail. The sail sign is one of the three most reliable findings to localize side of vocal cord paralysis on neck CT ⁴.