The King laryngeal tube: a mimic of esophageal intubation in the emergency department

• Published in: Emergency radiology Vol. 24; no. 6; pp. 701 - 704
• Main Authors: Green, Daniel B., Root, Christopher W., Drexler, Ian R., Legasto, Alan C., St. George, Jonathan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-12-2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aneurysm, Ruptured - diagnostic imaging; Case Report; Emergency medical services; Emergency Medicine; Emergency Service, Hospital; Emergency services; Equipment Design; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Imaging; Intracranial Aneurysm - diagnostic imaging; Intubation, Intratracheal - instrumentation; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Patient Positioning; Radiology; Emergency intubation; King laryngeal tube; Alternative airway devices
• ISSN: 1070-3004; 1438-1435
• DOI: 10.1007/s10140-017-1529-z

The King Airway is a temporary airway device used primarily in the pre-hospital setting and typically exchanged for an endotracheal tube upon arrival to the emergency department. Since this usually occurs before imaging, many radiologists are unfamiliar with the King Airway. This lack of familiarity can have important consequences for the patient and treating team. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the King Airway among radiologists, emphasize appropriate positioning, and review the imaging complications of incorrect positioning.