title: Ultrasonography for Verification of Endotracheal Tube Position in Neonates and Infants.
abstract: ObjectiveUltrasonography (US) has been shown to be effective for verifying endotracheal tube (ETT) position in adults and older children but has been less studied in the neonates and infants. The literature regarding US utility for ETT positioning in this population is reviewed.Study DesignA literature search was conducted using the EMBASE, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Ovid, and Scopus databases with search terms regarding US relating to ETT intubation and positioning in neonates and infants.ResultNine relevant studies were included for review. All studies report > 80% visualization of the ETT tip by US. US interpretation of the ETT position correlated with the radiography position in 73 to 100% of cases when the ETT tip was visible. There were variations in technique, sonographer, and sonographer training between studies.ConclusionUS appears to be well tolerated by neonates and infants and may augment the determination of proper ETT position. Further studies are needed regarding optimal technique and sonographer training.
authors.affiliation: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Mansi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.affiliation: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaeel
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, LAC + USC Medical Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*