Airway ultrasound the oesophagus

Transverse views of the lower anterior neck.

The aim is to visualise the trachea and oesophagus, so that during tracheal intubation, inadvertent oesophageal intubation may be identified and immediately corrected.

Panoramic ultrasound view of the lower anterior neck

• The oesophagus lies posterior and usually slightly to the left of the trachea.
• The oesophagus is not very obvious in this image because the shadow cast by the trachea largely obscures it.
• It is best seen as shown below – place the linear transducer transversely, just to the left of the trachea at the level of the first tracheal ring, and angle medially to peer around the trachea.

The trachea and oesophagus imaged to ensure endotracheal intubation.

When the ultrasound operator can see both the video laryngoscopy screen and the ultrasound screen gentle “BURP” (backwards, upwards and rightwards pressure) can both improve visualisation of the larynx for the person performing the intubation, and the oesophagus for the sonologist who is to confirm either tracheal or oesophageal intubation.

• The oesophagus demonstrates typical bowel wall signature, although often only 3 of the 5 layers are clearly seen sonographically.
• Outermost layer – echogenic – serosa
• Next layer – hypoechoic – muscularis propria
• Middle layer – hyperechoic – submusoca
• Next layer – hypoechoic – muscularis mucosa
• Innermost layer – hyperchoic – mucosa and any luminal content particularly gas

Tracheal and oesophageal ultrasound explained – with swallow.

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