Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41116937›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Role of Ultrasound in Tracheotomy and Cricothyrotomy: A Research Study of Midline Cervical Vasculature in Healthy Individuals.

Okechukwu Nkwocha, Chinedu J Enwerem, Michael Adeniyi, Tarek Alambrouk, Unaiza Jawad, Sadia Javed, Haider Hilal

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Airway Management.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Okechukwu NkwochaSchool of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, GBR.
Chinedu J EnweremSchool of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, GBR.
Michael AdeniyiSchool of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, GBR.
Tarek AlambroukSchool of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, GBR.
Unaiza JawadSchool of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, GBR.
Sadia JavedSchool of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, GBR.
Haider HilalSchool of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, GBR.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction Tracheotomy and cricothyrotomy are life-saving airway interventions that carry a risk due to the presence of midline vascular structures in the anterior neck. Injury to these structures during blind landmark-based procedures can lead to serious complications. Ultrasound (US) is a non-invasive, real-time imaging modality that enables direct visualization of cervical anatomy and vascular variants. Despite its advantages, its routine use is not yet standardized in clinical protocols. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of midline vasculature using US in healthy individuals and to review current guidelines regarding US use in airway access. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of midline cervical vasculature using US in healthy adults and to review national and international guidelines on US use in tracheotomy and cricothyrotomy procedures. Methods This cross-sectional observational study included 80 healthy volunteers in the age range of 18 to 49 years. High-resolution US scans were performed at three anatomical levels: the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage, the superior border of the cricoid cartilage, and the inferior edge of the thyroid isthmus. The presence of midline vascular structures was recorded. A concurrent review of airway management guidelines (American Society of Anesthesiologists, Difficult Airway Society, Royal College of Anaesthetists, and others) was also undertaken. Results  Midline vascular structures were identified in 23 participants (28.7%). At specific anatomical levels, 18 participants (22.5%) had vessels at the thyroid isthmus, three participants (3.8%) had at the cricoid cartilage, and two participants (2.5%) had at the thyroid cartilage. No significant association was found between vascular presence and demographic factors such as sex, BMI, or ethnicity, with a p-value of 0.6 (Gender) and 0.9 (Ethnicity). Guideline review revealed no consistent recommendations for routine US use in tracheotomy or cricothyrotomy. Conclusion The US detected significant vascular structures in the midline neck, particularly at the thyroid isthmus level, in a substantial portion of healthy individuals. These findings support integrating the US into standard airway management protocols to enhance safety and accuracy.

Indexed as

airway managementmidline cervical vasculaturepocustracheotomyultrasound

Identifiers

PMID41116937
PMCPMC12535737

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.