Affiliation:
1. Department of Radiodiagnosis and Interventional Radiology All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
Abstract
Airway ultrasound (US) is an easily available, portable, radiation‐free imaging modality for quick, non‐invasive, dynamic evaluation of the airway without sedation. This is useful in children with stridor, which is an emergency due to upper airway obstruction requiring immediate management. Several causes of stridor including laryngomalacia, laryngeal cyst, subglottic hemangioma, vocal cord palsy, and lymphatic malformations can be evaluated accurately. Thin musculature and unossified cartilages in children provide a good acoustic window. Thus, airway US is valuable, but underutilized for the evaluation of children with stridor. In this case‐based review, we describe the technique, indications, anatomy, and pathologies on airway US.