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Review
. 2020 Jan-Mar;36(1):5-12.
doi: 10.4103/joacp.JOACP_319_18. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Ultrasonographic assessment of airway

Kinshuki Jain  1 , Mukesh Yadav  2 , Nishkarsh Gupta  1 , Sanjay Thulkar  2 , Sushma Bhatnagar  1
Affiliations
Review

Ultrasonographic assessment of airway

Kinshuki Jain et al. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2020 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Ultrasound is gaining increasing popularity among anesthesiologists as it is readily available and provides real-time imaging for various procedures. It is considered as a "visual stethoscope" of the anesthesiologist. After establishing its use in regional blocks and central venous catheter insertion, it is now finding increasing use in anticipation of difficult airway and securing and maintaining it. It has challenged the classical approach of clinical assessment of airway and allows more dynamic bedside assessment. This article attempts to briefly outline the role of ultrasound and its applications for airway management in patients.

Keywords: Airway; anesthesia; clinical; sonographic; ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ultrasound probes commonly used for airway management
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Tongue (longitudinal view). (b) Floor of mouth and tongue (axial view). (c) Epiglottis (axial section). (d) Vocal cords (axial section)
Figure 3
Figure 3
“String of beads” appearance of tracheal rings in parasagittal plane
Figure 4
Figure 4
Cricothyroid membrane in sagittal plane
Figure 5
Figure 5
Subglottic diameter (air column measurement) for determination of appropriate endotracheal tube size
Figure 6
Figure 6
Axial view above the level of sternoclavicular joint for measurement of outer tracheal diameter for determination of size of double-lumen tube
Figure 7
Figure 7
“Double tract” sign of esophageal intubation
Figure 8
Figure 8
(a) LMA cuffs visualized in transverse plane. Arrows indicate cuff edges. (b) Nasogastric (NG) tube through LMA seen in parasagittal view
Figure 9
Figure 9
Gastric ultrasound to assess prandial status. AO: Aorta, SMA: Superior mesenteric artery, SMV: Superior mesenteric vein, IVC: Inferior vena cava
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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