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Misplaced endotracheal tube

Case contributed by Pir Abdul Ahad Aziz Qureshi
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Post-intubation x-ray. Shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: neonate
Gender: Female
x-ray

Misplaced endotracheal tube (ETT) with its tip in the right main bronchus. Complete whiteout of the left hemithorax in keeping with collapse in this setting. Normally placed NG tube.

Case Discussion

Ideally, ETT tip position should be below the interclavicular line and approximately 2 cm above the carina. In children, the trachea is shorter and the optimum position for the tip of the ETT is 1.5 cm above the carina.

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