Airway Ultrasound in Critically Ill Patients: A Narrative Review

J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Jun;41(6):1317-1327. doi: 10.1002/jum.15817. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Abstract

Airway assessment and management have a central role in critical care medicine. Airway ultrasound can help us evaluate the anatomy, facilitate interventions such as intubation in difficult airways and tracheostomy, prevent post-extubation complications, and diagnose dysphagia. In this review, we will summarize the current use of ultrasound in airway assessment and management in critically ill patients.

Keywords: airway management; dysphagia; ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Airway Extubation
  • Airway Management
  • Critical Care
  • Critical Illness*
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal*
  • Tracheostomy