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Pediatric airway dimensions-A summary and presentation of existing data
Mital H Dave1, Michael Kemper1, Alexander R Schmidt1
1Department of Anesthesia and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Insights
Establishing pediatric airway dimension reference values is crucial for medical care. However, current data are too varied to create reliable standards, necessitating new, standardized research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
- Anatomy
Background:
- Accurate pediatric airway dimension reference values are vital for diagnosing conditions and selecting medical equipment.
- Current data are essential for distinguishing normal from pathological airway findings.
- Standardized values aid in the manufacturing and selection of appropriately sized airway devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile and present existing pediatric airway dimension data.
- To cover the larynx, trachea, and main stem bronchi from fetal development through adolescence.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on pediatric airway anatomy.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic literature search across major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar).
- Included studies with original data on pediatric airway dimensions (diameters, lengths, cross-sectional areas) presented in tabular form for narrow age groups.
- Collected data from various measurement techniques including autopsy, imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI), and endoscopy.
Main Results:
- Compiled data from 15 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.
- Observed significant variability in age-related data due to biological differences, data presentation, definitions, and measurement techniques.
- Data were sourced from diverse methods like autopsy, radiography, CT, MRI, bronchoscopy, and ultrasound.
Conclusions:
- The collected pediatric airway dimension data are heterogeneous, preventing the establishment of standard reference values.
- New research employing standardized measurements and data presentation in large pediatric populations is required.
- Further studies are necessary to generate more valid and reliable pediatric airway dimension data.
Background:
Age-related pediatric airway dimension reference values for cricoid, tracheal, and bronchial diameters as well as tracheal and bronchial lengths are essential for distinguishing normal from pathological airway findings and for manufacturing and selecting appropriately sized airway equipment.
Aim:
The aim of this work was to summarize and present existing pediatric airway dimension data for the larynx, trachea, and main stem bronchi from fetus to adolescence.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar. Publications containing original data on pediatric airway dimensions as mean or median in tabular form and spanning narrow age groups of 1 or 2 years were included in our study. Original data such as diameters, lengths, and cross-sectional areas of trachea, cricoid, left and right main bronchi in fetuses and children were collected and presented as figures.
Results:
Pediatric airway dimension data were gathered and compiled from 15 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Data were obtained from different measurement methods such as autopsy, chest X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, rigid and flexible bronchoscopy as well as ultrasound examinations. There was considerable variation among age-related data due to biologic heterogeneity, different presentation of data, different definitions, and various measurement techniques.
Conclusion:
This investigation revealed heterogeneous data on pediatric airway dimensions, making it impossible to compile them into standard reference values for airway dimensions. New studies with structured and standardized measurements and data presentation in large populations of children are required to provide more valid pediatric airway dimension data.
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