Misplaced endotracheal tube

Last revised by Mostafa El-Feky ◉ on 25 Dec 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Radswiki T, El-Feky M, Qureshi P, et al. Misplaced endotracheal tube. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 31 May 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12655

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12655

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/12655

rID:

12655

Article created:

28 Dec 2010, The Radswiki ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created The Radswiki had no recorded disclosures.

View The Radswiki's current disclosures

Last revised:

25 Dec 2021, Mostafa El-Feky ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Mostafa El-Feky had no recorded disclosures.

View Mostafa El-Feky's current disclosures

Revisions:

22 times, by 14 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest

Tags:

refs, misplaced ett

Synonyms:

Misplaced ETT
Misplaced endotracheal tubes
Malpositioned endotracheal tube
Malpositioned ETT

A misplaced or malpositioned endotracheal tube is a relatively common complication that is detected on post-intubation radiographs.

Complications

if the ETT is too high it can rub against the vocal cords and cause cord trauma
if the ETT is too low it can selectively intubate the right or left mainstem bronchus (see: endobronchial intubation)
esophageal intubation should be suspected with progressive gaseous distention of the stomach while the lung volumes remain low