- Etiology: placed in patients who require ventilatory assistance
- Imaging: endotracheal tube should usually lie over the right side of the spine and its tip should lie between the thoracic inlet and the carina, when the neck is in flexion the tip appears deeper than it really is and when the neck is in extension the tip appears higher than it really is, if the endotracheal tube does not overlie the trachea or if the endotracheal tube lies over the left side of the spine and / or if there is esophageal or gastric distension after intubation consider esophageal intubation – a lateral view is helpful in diagnosing this
- Complications: initial malposition or subsequent migration of endotracheal tube tip to a position above the thoracic inlet, initial malposition or subsequent migration of endotracheal tube tip to a position in the right mainstem bronchus causing atelectasis or pneumothorax, initial malposition of endotracheal tube tip into esophagus causing gastric distension
- Treatment: further advancement of proximally placed endotracheal tube, retraction of distally placed endotracheal tube, replacement of endotracheal tube in esophagus
- Clinical: presents as difficulty in ventilating the patient
Radiology Cases of Endotracheal Tube Malfunction / Malposition / Misposition / Misplacement
Radiology Cases of Endotracheal Tube in Normal Position

Radiology Cases of Endotracheal Tube in High Position

Radiology Cases of Endotracheal Tube in Right Mainstem Bronchus







Radiology Cases of Endotracheal Tube in Esophagus



