Presentation
Unconscious, intubated in the ED
Patient Data
The pilot balloon tubing is seen projecting at the base of the neck on the left side.
Case Discussion
The pilot balloon is a component of the endotracheal tube (ETT) that contains a spring loaded valve. A syringe can be attached to the pilot balloon to inflate or deflate the cuff of the ETT for securing and removing the ETT, respectively. While not frequently captured on X-ray, it is important to recognize the appearance of the pilot balloon tubing to avoid confusion with other tubes or lines.
Acknowledgment
This case was submitted with supervision and input from:
Dr. Soni C. Chawla, M.D.
Health Sciences Clinical Professor
Department of Radiological Sciences
David Geffen School of Medicine
Attending Pediatric Radiologist.
Olive View - UCLA Medical Center
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