Cricoid and left bronchial diameter in the pediatric population

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Tariq M Wani1,2, Mahmood Rafiq1, Rayan Terkawi2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|April 11, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric airway measurements are crucial for lung isolation. The ratio of cricoid to left mainstem bronchus diameter remains constant across ages, aiding device development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Anatomy

Background:

  • Lung isolation in children presents challenges due to poorly defined airway dimensions.
  • Accurate measurements of the mainstem bronchi are needed for pediatric endotracheal tube selection and lung isolation device development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the relationship between left mainstem bronchus (LMSB) diameter and cricoid ring diameter in children.
  • To investigate the influence of age, weight, and height on these pediatric airway dimensions.

Main Methods:

  • Computed tomography (CT) scans of 102 children (1 month to 10 years) were analyzed.
  • Cricoid and LMSB diameters were measured, and their relationship to age, gender, height, and weight was assessed using univariate regression analysis.

Main Results:

  • Both cricoid and LMSB diameters increase with age, height, and weight in children.
  • A constant ratio of approximately 0.78 ± 0.14 was observed between cricoid and LMSB diameters across all ages.
  • This ratio was marginally higher in girls compared to boys.

Conclusions:

  • The ratio between cricoid and left mainstem bronchus diameters is consistent across pediatric age, height, and weight ranges.
  • This stable anatomical relationship can inform the design of pediatric lung isolation devices and airway management tools.
Abstract

Keywords:
computed tomography imagingcricoid ringleft mainstem bronchuspediatric airway

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