Airway Sonography in Live Models and Cadavers

Sonography using cadavers is beneficial in teaching and learning sonoanatomy, which is particularly important because imaging of the airway can be challenging due to the cartilaginous landmarks and air artifacts. In this exploratory study, we have attempted to compare the airway sonoanatomy of cadavers and live models. Our observations support the use of cadavers as teaching tools for learning airway sonoanatomy and practicing procedures involving airway structures, such as superior laryngeal nerve blocks, transtracheal injections, and needle cricothyroidotomy, before performance on patients in clinical situations. We believe this process will improve patient safety and enhance the competency of trainees and practitioners in rare procedures such as needle cricothyroidotomy.     

An Unusual Cause of Intubating Laryngeal Mask Obstruction Preventing Successful Intubation in the Emergency Department

BackgroundThe intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) allows providers to blindly intubate through the device. We report a case of foreign material obstructing passage of an endotracheal tube (ET) through an ILMA.Case ReportA 45-year-old man with unknown past medical history was found obtunded with an apparent intentional drug and alcohol overdose, and required tracheal intubation. We opted to use an ILMA to optimize preoxygenation prior to intubation. His upper dentures were removed and an ILMA was inserted without complication; ventilation was easily performed. Blind tracheal intubation was attempted; the ET was inserted through the ILMA and was unable to be advanced past 15 cm despite multiple attempts, including repositioning the ILMA and rotating the ET. The ILMA was removed to prepare for video laryngoscopy. He was subsequently successfully intubated using a standard geometry video laryngoscope, which showed no anatomical abnormalities. After the case, the ILMA was inspected and the bowl of the ILMA was found to be occluded with denture adhesive.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?This case report demonstrates that it is possible that foreign material within the ILMA can make successful intubation impossible, despite successful placement and ventilation through the device. Maneuvers may be performed to attempt successful ET intubation, but when unsuccessful, removal of the ILMA and alternate airway management must be performed.     

鼻咽通气道在急重症脑动脉瘤栓塞术患者恢复期的应用

目的：观察恢复期早期拔除气管导管并置入鼻咽通气道对预防急重症脑动脉瘤栓塞术患者拔管期不良反应的效果。方法60例急诊行脑动脉瘤栓塞术的患者,GCS评分8～10分,ASAⅢ～Ⅳ级,随机分为鼻咽通气道组（ A组）、口咽通气道组（ B组）和手托下颌组（ C组）,每组20例。记录三组患者拔除气管导管前（ T0）、置入鼻／口咽通气道（ C 组手托下颌）后1 min （ T1）、5 min（ T2）、10 min（ T3）和20 min（ T4）的SpO2、HR、SBP、DBP、PaCO2、血浆肾上腺素（ E）及去甲肾上腺素（ NE）浓度（桡动脉血）,并观察拔管后20 min内的不良反应包括呛咳、躁动、恶心呕吐及喉痉挛等。结果 T1时B组HR、SBP、DBP、PaCO2、血浆E及NE浓度高于A组和C组（ P＜0.05）,A组HR、SBP、DBP、PaCO2、血浆E及NE浓度略高于C 组,但差异无统计学意义（ P＞0.05）;T2、T3、T4时B组和C组HR、SBP、DBP、PaCO2、血浆E及NE浓度高于A组（P＜0.05）。 A组不良反应发生率明显低于B组和C组（P＜0.05）。结论鼻咽通气道应用有利于急重症脑动脉瘤栓塞术患者全麻苏醒期,可有效地保持患者呼吸道通畅并减轻患者拔管期的不良反应。     

Use of Sonography for Airway Assessment

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of sonography in identifying the anatomic structures of the upper airway and to describe their appearance on sonography. Methods. We enrolled 24 healthy volunteers, placed them supine with their head extended and neck flexed (the “sniffing” position), and performed a systematic sonographic examination of their upper airway from the floor of the mouth to the suprasternal notch. Results. We were able to visualize all relevant anatomic structures in all of the participants using either a linear or curved transducer oriented in 1 of 3 planes: sagittal, parasagittal, and transverse. Bony structures (eg, the mandible and hyoid) were brightly hyperechoic with an underlying hypoechoic acoustic shadow. Cartilaginous structures (eg, the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and tracheal rings) were hypoechoic, and their intraluminal surface was outlined by a bright air‐mucosa interface. The vocal cords were readily visualized through the thyroid cartilage. However, the posterior pharynx, posterior commissure, and posterior wall of the trachea could not be visualized because of artifacts created by an intraluminal air column. Conclusions. Sonography of the upper airway is capable of providing detailed anatomic information and has numerous potential clinical applications.     

Acute upper airway obstruction from acquired angioedema

C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency is an unusual cause of acute upper airway angioedema. This case of angioedema is secondary to acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency associated with neoplastic disease and triggered by the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. It was sufficiently severe to require emergency airway management. A guide to the evaluation and management of angioedema is presented.     

Potential cervical spine injury and difficult airway management for emergency intubation of trauma adults in the emergency department--a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Emergency airway management for trauma adults is practised by physicians from a range of training backgrounds and with differing levels of experience. The indications for intubation and technique employed are factors that vary within EDs and between hospitals. OBJECTIVES: To provide practical evidence based guidance for airway management in trauma resuscitation: first for the trauma adult with potential cervical spine injury and second the management when a difficult airway is encountered at intubation. SEARCH STRATEGY AND METHODOLOGY: Full literature search for relevant articles in Medline (1966-2003), EMBASE (1980-2003), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Relevant articles relating to adults and written in English language were appraised. English language abstracts of foreign articles were included. Studies were critically appraised on a standardised data collection sheet to assess validity and quality of evidence. The level of evidence was allocated using the methods of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.     

纤支镜引导插管在急诊困难气管插管中的应用

目的：评价纤支镜引导插管在急诊困难气管插管中的应用价值。方法：回顾性分析困难气管插管患者经纤支镜引导下经鼻气管插管26例的临床资料。结果：所有喉镜明视下经口插管失败的患者改用纤支镜引导下经鼻气管插管均获成功。结论：纤支镜引导插管对急诊困难气管插管有一定的临床应用价值。     

微量注射泵持续气道湿化临床效果观察

[目的]观察气道开放后持续泵入湿化液后气道湿化的效果.[方法]将40例气道开放病人随机分为实验组和对照组各20例,实验组采用0．9％氯化钠50mL沐舒坦15mg配成湿化液持续泵入2mL／h～5mL／h。对照组采用相同方法配制的湿化液,每隔30min～60min沿套管或插管壁滴入2mL～5mL,时间为5min。观察两组吸出痰液及痰痂形成、刺激性咳嗽、气道黏膜出血等情况。[结果]实验组痰液黏度明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）,痰痂形成、刺激性咳嗽、气道黏膜出血发生率显著低于时照组（P〈0．05）。[结论]气道开放病人气管内持续泵入湿化液可预防气道干燥和消除痰痂形成,对改善和保持病人呼吸道通畅有明显效果。     

脊柱骨折伴高位截瘫合并气道高反应性患者的气道护理

目的探索脊柱骨折伴高位截瘫合并气道高反应性患者气道的有效护理方法。方法密切观察呼吸的频率、节律、幅度等情况,保持呼吸道通畅,加强气道湿化,保持正态通气方式,维持机体有效循环,保证体内血氧处于正常状态。结果患者好转出院16例,因家庭因素及经济原因自动出院3例。结论患有气道高反应性的脊柱骨折伴高位截瘫的患者,应加强气道湿化,保持呼吸道通畅,保持正态通气方式,能保证机体血氧处于正常状态,促进患者早日康复。     

Acute epiglottitis in adults

Acute infectious epiglottitis, a serious life-threatening disease because of its potential for sudden upper airway obstruction, is most commonly seen in children, although it can occur in adults. Because acute epiglottitis is uncommon in adults, it is often misdiagnosed. Five cases are presented that demonstrate the clinical characteristics of adult epiglottitis. Knowledge of the symptoms and signs of the disease will lead to early diagnosis and appropriate management, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality rates.     

婴幼儿哮喘的气道阻塞程度与临床症状评分的相关性研究

[目的]探讨婴幼儿哮喘的气道阻塞程度与临床症状评分的相关性,为婴幼儿哮喘的临床诊治提供客观的实验室依据。[方法]选择本院儿科2006年4月至2007年2月住院及门、急诊治疗的婴幼儿哮喘患儿35例,健康对照组38例。哮喘组按哮喘急性发作期临床分度的诊断标准评分,同时进行潮气呼吸肺功能测定。主要参数：每分通气量（MV）,呼吸频率（RR）,潮气量（VT/kg）,吸气时间（TI）,呼气时间（TE）,吸呼比（TI/TE）,达峰时间（TPEF）,达峰时间比（TPEF/TE）,达峰容积（VPEF）,达峰容积比（VPEF/VE）,潮气呼吸呼气峰流速（PTEF）,25%,50%或75%潮气量时呼气流速（TEF 25%,TEF 50%,TEF 75%）,同时描绘出流速-容量环（TFV curve）。[结果]哮喘严重程度临床评分与潮气呼吸肺功能参数经Spearman等级相关分析发现：临床评分与TPEF、TPEF/TE、VPEF、VPEF/VE呈负相关,Spearman相关系数分别为：TPEF r=-0.491,P〈0.001;TPEF/TE r=-0.549,P〈0.001;VPEF r=-0.356,P〈0.05;VPEF/VE r=-0.628,P〈0.001。[结论]临床评分可以反映婴幼儿哮喘的气道阻塞程度。     

持续气道湿化在经鼻气管插管患者中的应用及效果

目的:探讨持续气道湿化在经鼻气管插管患者中的应用及临床效果。方法:将60例经鼻气管插管患者随机分实验组和对照组各30例,实验组给予持续气道湿化,对照组给予间断气道湿化。随访1～3个月,比较两组抗生素应用时间、住院时间、住院费用、病死率及血气分析结果。结果:实验组血气分析结果优于对照组(P<0.05),抗生素应用时间、住院时间、住院费用少于对照组(P<0.05),病死率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:经鼻气管插管患者行持续气道湿化,可改善其血气指标,减少抗生素应用时间、住院时间、住院费用,降低病死率,值得临床推广应用。     

喉罩通气全身麻醉在纤维支气管镜氩气刀 治疗中心气道疾病中的临床应用

目的 评价喉罩通气（LMA）全身麻醉在纤维支气管镜（纤支镜）氩气刀治疗中心气道疾病中的应用效果和可行性。 方法 回顾分析2009年1月~2013年7月,LMA下纤支镜氩气刀治疗的21例中心气道疾病患者的临床和手术资料,从入室起持续监测收缩压（SP）、舒张压（DP）、心率（HR）和脉搏氧饱和度（SPO2）,记录麻醉前（T1）、手术中（T2）和术毕（T3）时的SP、DP、HR和SPO2,记录置入喉罩后（P1）、经喉罩置入纤支镜即刻（P2）、拔出纤支镜即刻（P3）的气道压力峰值,统计手术时间、通气时间、呼吸恢复时间、清醒时间、拔管时间和并发症情况。 结果 21例患者共实施了32例次LMA下纤支镜氩气刀手术。一次性成功置入喉罩30例次,另外2例次更换型号后成功置入。该组麻醉效果满意,术程顺利,手术时间为15～50（23.5±10.6） min,通气时间25～60（32.5±12.8）min,术中血压、心率等生命指征平稳,吸气气道压力峰值波动小,未发生气道并发症。 结论 喉罩通气全身麻醉下行纤维支气管镜氩气刀治疗中心气道疾病安全可行,血流动力学平稳,吸气气道压力峰值波动小,苏醒时间快,气道并发症少。     

口咽通气管在非确定性人工气道吸痰中的应用

目的 观察使用口咽通气管在非确定性人工气道吸痰中的应用效果.方法 选择2010年5月～2011年3月在ICU治疗的102例需无创吸痰的重症患者,随机分为观察组52例和对照组50例.观察组采用经口咽通气管吸痰法吸痰.对照组采用传统无创吸痰法吸痰.比较两组每日吸痰次数、吸出痰量、双肺呼吸音改善情况、血氧饱和度、体温变化、气管插管及气管切开例数等.结果 观察组能减少吸痰次数,明显改善肺部情况,降低气管插管和气管切开发生率,两组比较有显著性差异（P＜0.01,P＜0.05）.结论 与传统无创吸痰比较,经口咽通气管辅助吸痰效果好,并发症少,明显降低耗材,减轻护理工作量,提高患者满意度.     

人工气道湿化的护理进展

人工气道建立是抢救及治疗危重症患者的重要措施,是危重患者的生命通道。正常时人体的鼻、咽腔、呼吸道对吸入气体有加温和湿化作用,人工气道建立后,气体未经鼻腔的过滤和湿润直接进入气道,可造成气道黏膜损伤,细菌未经阻挡直接进入下呼吸道引起继发感染。有实验证明,肺部感染率随气道湿化程度的降低而升高。因此,人工气道充分有效湿化,可维持支气管黏膜细胞纤毛的正常功能,使支气管内分泌物向上移动,从而降低肺部感染的发生率,是保持呼吸道通畅的一项重要措施。近年来,国内外对人工气道的湿化做了大量研究,现将有关护理进展综述如下。     

咳嗽变异性哮喘气道重塑的机制研究

目的研究咳嗽变异性哮喘气道重塑及可能机制。方法选择典型哮喘15例,咳嗽变异性哮喘12例,正常对照组8例行纤维支气管镜检查,获取段支气管黏膜组织作病理切片,光镜下测定各组基底厚度,同时作支气管肺泡灌洗,测定肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-9)含量。结果典型哮喘组基底膜厚度为(9.05±1.67)μm,咳嗽变异性哮喘组为(7.27±1.6)μm,均明显高于正常对照组(5.06±0.67)μm(P<0.05),两哮喘组间也有明显差异。典型哮喘组MMP-9含量为(5.08±1.46) mg/g 蛋白,咳嗽变异性哮喘组为(4.5±1.64)mg/g蛋白,明显高于正常对照组(2.01±0.9)mg/g蛋白(P<0.05),但两哮喘组间差异无显著性。各组基底膜厚度与MMP-9含量之间相关分析提示有明显相关性(r=0.632)。结论咳嗽变异性哮喘存在着气道重塑,基质金属蛋白酶MMP-9可能参与了气道重塑过程。     

Epiglottitis: A recurrent episode in a youth

Epiglottitis should be suspected in the adolescent with throat pain and dysphagia out of proportion to pharyngeal inflammation. Endolateral neck radiographs or indirect laryngoscopy will confirm the diagnosis. Blood and throat or epiglottic cultures always should be obtained. Therapy consists of airway stabilization and antibiotic administration. Although epiglottitis in adolescents is often less acute and less severe than in younger children, it may be life-threatening.