To assess the value of ultrasound in detecting the secretions above the airbag of endotracheal catheter.

Thirty patients with enhanced endotracheal intubation were examined by bedside ultrasonography to obtain sonographic images and videos to observe secretions in disposable syringes drained from the endotracheal intubation catheter. When finally removing the endotracheal catheter under bronchoscope monitoring, airway secretions were observed. The results of secretions in syringes and airway were compared with the ultrasonic results.

The results of secretions in syringes and airway confirmed a total of 23 patients with effusion and 7 patients without effusion. Among them, 22 patients with effusion were detected by ultrasonography, while another patient with effusion was misdiagnosed as having no effusion, and the remaining 7 patients were found without effusion. The secretions manifested as hypoechoic or anechoic spaces on ultrasonography, 54.5% had scattered hyperechoic like microbubble gas, and 100.0% had liquid "fluctuation sensation" as the probe exerted pressure. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of ultrasound were 95.7%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 87.5%, and 96.7%, respectively, and there were no significant difference between the two methods. The consistency of observation by the two physicians was 0.842, indicating a good consistency.

Ultrasonography can detect the secretions above the airbag of endotracheal catheter, and can be used as a simple and noninvasive bedside examination for critically ill patients.