title: Ultrasound: A novel tool for airway imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The scope of ultrasound is emerging in medical science, particularly outside traditional areas of radiology practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We designed this study to evaluate feasibility of bedside sonography as a tool for airway assessment and to describe sonographic anatomy of airway.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 100 adult, healthy volunteers of either sex to undergo airway imaging systemically starting from floor of the mouth to the sternal notch in anterior aspect of neck by sonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We could visualize mandible and hyoid bone as a bright hyperechoic structure with hypoechoic acoustic shadow underneath. Epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and tracheal rings appeared hypoechoic. Vocal cords were visualized through thyroid cartilage. Interface between air and mucosa lining the airway produced a bright hyperechoic linear appearance. Artifacts created by intraluminal air prevented visualization of posterior pharynx, posterior commissure, and posterior wall of trachea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound is safe, quick, noninvasive, repeatable, and bedside tool to assess the airway and can provide real-time dynamic images relevant for several aspects of airway management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Siddharthkumar Bhikhabhai
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Harshil Kirankumar
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Nilima Kanaiyalal
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Samira Nayan
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Kunal Govindbhai
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Solanki
keywords: Airway; sonography; ultrasound
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