Abstract
Background
Focused ultrasonography of the airway may be useful in the prediction of difficult
intubation. The wider use of sonography in quantitative airway assessment may depend
on the availability of highly portable, inexpensive, and accurate ultrasound systems.
Pocket-sized ultrasound devices are emerging as a useful tool for point-of-care ultrasonography.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the suprahyoid airway of healthy volunteers
using a smartphone-based ultrasound imaging system in comparison with a platform-based
machine.
Methods
Mobisante MobiUS SP1 system with 2 mechanical sector (3.5 and 7.5 MHz) probes was
used to acquire images of the tongue and measure the diameter of the hyomental muscle
in the mouth floor. In the same group of subjects, imaging and measurements were repeated
using BK Medical Flex Focus 400 ultrasound system with linear (18 MHz ) and curved
5 (MHz) transducers. The MobiUS system was also used to image plastic cylinders and
procedure needles embedded in tofu bars. Outside diameters of cylinders were measured
using digital calipers and sonography.
Results
The mean diameter of the hyomental muscle in 10 healthy volunteers was 7.22 ± 1.6
mm using BK 18 MHz probe, 7.11 ± 1.7 mm using MobiUS 7.5 MHz probe, and 7.84 ± 2 mm
using MobiUS 3.5 MHz probe. These means were not statistically different (BK vs Mo
7.5, P = .74, and BK vs Mo 3.5, P = .13). The mean outside diameter of plastic cylinders measured with digital calipers
was 10.1 ± 0.2 mm (n = 5) vs 9.8 ± 0.3 mm and 10.2 ± 0.2 mm using 3.5 and 7.5 MHz
probes, respectively. These means were not statistically different (calipers vs Mo
3.5, P = .16 and calipers vs Mo 7.5, P = .39).
Conclusion
Mobisante MobiUS system was able to acquire clinically useful images of the suprahyoid
airway and muscular architecture in the mouth floor and allowed accurate measurements
of linear distances.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 19, 2012
Accepted:
September 8,
2012
Received in revised form:
September 7,
2012
Received:
June 23,
2012
Footnotes
☆The MobiUS system was loaned from Mobisante Inc, Redmond, WA. The authors did not receive any financial support from the company.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
