The comparative analysis of ultrasound and radiographic diagnostics in confirmation of endotracheal tube position in neonates

• Koltunov I.E.
• Degtyareva M.V
• Mazaev A.P.
• Gorbunov A.V.
• Erokhina A.V.

AbstractIn our investigation we assess the feasibility of USD in determining ETT position and compare its results with the current gold standard - chest radiography. It was a prospective, single-centre, observational study conducted at the Morozovskaya Children Hospital (Moscow, Russia). 42 intubated neonates who underwent upper airway USD and chest X-ray were observed. Correlation between the distance from ETT tip to carina on chest X-ray and ETT-tip to aortic arch on US was strong - 0.8 (p<0.05). Bedside ultrasound is a feasible imaging modality to visualize the position of the endotracheal tube which has a very good correlation with gold standard - chest X-ray and high sensitivity to determine deeply positioned ETT. The major limitation of our trail is that a single highly qualified specialist performed all US imaging. Randomized controlled trials involving nonqualified operators (neonatologists) are required to implement this technique into routine clinical practice.

Keywords:ultrasound, endotracheal tube position, tracheal intubation, chest x-ray, radiography, neonate

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