SARA ELTAYEB, ELEİA MOSAAD
Journal of Critical and Intensive Care - 2024;15(3):116-119
Vocal fold motion impairment is a rare but serious complication of endotracheal intubation, traditionally diagnosed with flexible fiberoptic endoscopy. Point-of-care ultrasound is emerging as a valuable tool for airway assessment and guiding interventions. We present a case of a 21-year-old female patient with infective endocarditis who was intubated for cardiac surgery. After extubation, she developed hoarseness of voice and aspiration. A laryngeal ultrasound using a high-frequency linear probe revealed left vocal fold paresis, consistent with her clinical findings. A nasogastric tube was placed to prevent aspiration and ensure adequate nutrition. Ten days later, follow-up ultrasound demonstrated improved vocal fold movement, allowing for the removal of the nasogastric tube. Laryngeal ultrasound is a safe, reliable, and repeatable method for the early detection and monitoring of vocal fold motion impairment following extubation, reducing the risk of aspiration and enhancing patient outcomes.
