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. 2021 Sep;10(3):180-187.
doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1715484. Epub 2020 Aug 20.

Endotracheal Tube Placement Confirmation with Bedside Ultrasonography in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Validation Study

Harsha K Chandnani  1 , Ivanna N Maxson  1 , Disha K Mittal  1 , Salem Dehom  2 , Anthony Moretti  1 , Vi A Dinh  3 , Merrick Lopez  1 , Janeth C Ejike  1
Affiliations

Endotracheal Tube Placement Confirmation with Bedside Ultrasonography in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Validation Study

Harsha K Chandnani et al. J Pediatr Intensive Care. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Critically ill patients who are intubated undergo multiple chest X-rays (CXRs) to determine endotracheal tube position; however, other modalities can save time, medical expenses, and radiation exposure. In this article, we evaluated the validity and interrater reliability of ultrasound to confirm endotracheal tube (ETT) position in patients. A prospective study was performed on intubated patients with cuffed ETTs. The accuracy of ultrasound to confirm correct ETT placement in 92 patients was 97.8%. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and agreement of 97.7, 93.3, and 91.3% were found on comparing ultrasound to CXR findings. Ultrasound is feasible, reliable, and has good interrater reliability in assessing correct ETT position in children.

Keywords: endotracheal intubation; radiation; ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Transverse view of the ETT (arrow) in the trachea. ETT, endotracheal tube.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Longitudinal image of the ETT (arrow) in the trachea. ETT, endotracheal tube.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Right and left lung sliding visualization (arrow: pleural line).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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