Ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markers
Abstract Background Proper sizing of endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes is essential for safe airway management. Ultrasonography offers a non-invasive method to assess airway anatomy, particularly the subglottic region. This study aimed to evaluate subglottic tracheal diameter and trachea-to-skin d...
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SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
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| Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00862-y |
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| author | Ahmet Baytok Mehmet Ozturk |
| author_facet | Ahmet Baytok Mehmet Ozturk |
| author_sort | Ahmet Baytok |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Proper sizing of endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes is essential for safe airway management. Ultrasonography offers a non-invasive method to assess airway anatomy, particularly the subglottic region. This study aimed to evaluate subglottic tracheal diameter and trachea-to-skin distance in healthy adults using ultrasound and to investigate their relationships with anthropometric variables. Methods A prospective study was conducted on 178 healthy adults (92 males, 86 females) aged 18 to 65 years, grouped by age (18–35, 36–50, 51–65 years). Subglottic tracheal diameter and trachea-to-skin distance were measured using a Canon Aplio™ 300 ultrasound system with participants in a supine position. Height, weight, and body mass index were recorded. Statistical analysis included Mann–Whitney U test, ANOVA, and Pearson or Spearman correlation as appropriate. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Males had significantly larger subglottic tracheal diameters than females (20.05 ± 3.01 mm vs. 16.93 ± 1.72 mm, p < 0.001). Trachea-to-skin distance showed no sex difference (p = 0.133) but increased significantly with age (p < 0.001), particularly between the youngest (8.12 ± 2.13 mm) and oldest (9.9 ± 2.5 mm) age groups. In younger adults, tracheal diameter correlated strongly with height (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), while trachea-to-skin distance correlated with both weight (r = 0.52–0.56) and body mass index (r = 0.50–0.64) across all age groups. Conclusions Ultrasound provides a reliable and individualized assessment of airway anatomy. Subglottic tracheal diameter and trachea-to-skin distance vary with sex, age, and body composition, which may guide personalized airway management and tube size selection. Further clinical validation is warranted. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0a7aab10da0e4fdb94861a0cc51d66b3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2090-8539 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
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| series | The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0a7aab10da0e4fdb94861a0cc51d66b32025-08-20T03:03:19ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology2090-85392025-07-014111910.1186/s43163-025-00862-yUltrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markersAhmet Baytok0Mehmet Ozturk1Department of Radiology, Selcuk University Medical Faculty HospitalDepartment of Radiology, Selcuk University Medical Faculty HospitalAbstract Background Proper sizing of endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes is essential for safe airway management. Ultrasonography offers a non-invasive method to assess airway anatomy, particularly the subglottic region. This study aimed to evaluate subglottic tracheal diameter and trachea-to-skin distance in healthy adults using ultrasound and to investigate their relationships with anthropometric variables. Methods A prospective study was conducted on 178 healthy adults (92 males, 86 females) aged 18 to 65 years, grouped by age (18–35, 36–50, 51–65 years). Subglottic tracheal diameter and trachea-to-skin distance were measured using a Canon Aplio™ 300 ultrasound system with participants in a supine position. Height, weight, and body mass index were recorded. Statistical analysis included Mann–Whitney U test, ANOVA, and Pearson or Spearman correlation as appropriate. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Males had significantly larger subglottic tracheal diameters than females (20.05 ± 3.01 mm vs. 16.93 ± 1.72 mm, p < 0.001). Trachea-to-skin distance showed no sex difference (p = 0.133) but increased significantly with age (p < 0.001), particularly between the youngest (8.12 ± 2.13 mm) and oldest (9.9 ± 2.5 mm) age groups. In younger adults, tracheal diameter correlated strongly with height (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), while trachea-to-skin distance correlated with both weight (r = 0.52–0.56) and body mass index (r = 0.50–0.64) across all age groups. Conclusions Ultrasound provides a reliable and individualized assessment of airway anatomy. Subglottic tracheal diameter and trachea-to-skin distance vary with sex, age, and body composition, which may guide personalized airway management and tube size selection. Further clinical validation is warranted.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00862-yUltrasonographySubglottic tracheal diameterTrachea-to-skin distanceTracheostomyAnthropometric markers |
| spellingShingle | Ahmet Baytok Mehmet Ozturk Ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markers The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology Ultrasonography Subglottic tracheal diameter Trachea-to-skin distance Tracheostomy Anthropometric markers |
| title | Ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markers |
| title_full | Ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markers |
| title_fullStr | Ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markers |
| title_short | Ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology: relationship with anthropometric markers |
| title_sort | ultrasonographic analysis of subglottic tracheal morphology relationship with anthropometric markers |
| topic | Ultrasonography Subglottic tracheal diameter Trachea-to-skin distance Tracheostomy Anthropometric markers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00862-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ahmetbaytok ultrasonographicanalysisofsubglottictrachealmorphologyrelationshipwithanthropometricmarkers AT mehmetozturk ultrasonographicanalysisofsubglottictrachealmorphologyrelationshipwithanthropometricmarkers |