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Correlation of airway ultrasonography and laryngoscopy findings in adults with subglottic stenosis: a pilot study

  • Laryngology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Ultrasonography of the airway has potential as an alternative, non-invasive, method to monitor patients with subglottic stenosis in an outpatient setting. This prospective, interventional, double-blinded study aimed to correlate ultrasound-based and laryngoscopy-based subglottic stenosis assessment in adults.

Methods

The study was conducted between July 2020 and March 2021 at a tertiary referral center. Consecutive adult patients with subglottic stenosis were evaluated using airway ultrasonography 1 day prior to scheduled laryngoscopy. The radiologist was blinded to the preoperative endoscopic findings, and the primary surgeon was blinded to the ultrasonographic measurements. The intraoperative subglottic diameter was defined as the outer diameter of an endotracheal tube passing through the subglottis without producing an air leak.

Results

Sixteen patients (11 females; age range, 17–66 years; mean = 44.06, SD = 12.79) were included. The ultrasonographic subglottic diameter ranged from 5.20 mm to 8.00 mm (mean = 6.24 mm, SD = 0.90). In 15 of 16 patients, the diameter difference between the ultrasonographic and intraoperative measurements ranged from -0.80 mm to 0.30 mm (mean = -0.20 mm, SD = 0.35). However, patient 6 had a difference of − 2.10 mm between the two measurements, which was attributed to thick laryngotracheal secretions interfering with the ultrasonographic air shadow. Data analysis of all 16 patients showed a statistically significant correlation between the readings obtained by the two techniques (r = 0.84, P = 0.000051).

Conclusion

This study found a significant correlation between ultrasonography-based and laryngoscopy-based subglottic stenosis assessment in adult patients. It provides a basis for an alternative and potentially reliable method to monitor patients with subglottic stenosis.

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Funding

No funding was received for conducting this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Saud University Medical City, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Bshair Aldriweesh, Abdullah Aljasser, Manal Bukhari, Abdulaziz Alrabiah & Ahmed AlAmmar

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Fahad Specialist Hospital-Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

    Bshair Aldriweesh

  3. Department of Radiology, King Saud University Medical City, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Adeena Khan

Authors
  1. Bshair Aldriweesh
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  2. Adeena Khan
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  3. Abdullah Aljasser
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  4. Manal Bukhari
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  5. Abdulaziz Alrabiah
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  6. Ahmed AlAmmar
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Correspondence to Bshair Aldriweesh.

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All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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The study was approved by the institutional review board of king Saud university medical city (E-20-4778) and the study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Meeting information

The 101st Annual Meeting of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, occurring virtually with the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) on April 7–8, 2021.

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Aldriweesh, B., Khan, A., Aljasser, A. et al. Correlation of airway ultrasonography and laryngoscopy findings in adults with subglottic stenosis: a pilot study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 279, 1989–1994 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07195-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07195-5

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