Diseases of the larynx and trachea are a heterogenous group of disorders. Witch may
include congenital anatomical disorders, neoplastic changes, vocal cord paralysis of
varied aetiology or narrowing of the larynx associated with long-term intubation. The
multitude of disorders of these organs necessitates the continuing search for diagnostic
methods which will not only provide answers to clinical questions but will also be safe
and with the least level of interference with the wellbeing of the patient, which is of
particular importance in the neonate.
Diagnosis of diseases of the larynx and trachea in the neonate and infant is mainly based
on endoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography. These investigations
are invasive and not infrequently require anaesthetising the patient.
In recent decades only a few studies have been reported which described the ultrasound
anatomy of the larynx prior to and following intubation or that of the mobility of the
vocal cords. These studies involved small groups of subjects and were performed using
lower quality ultrasound devices which did not provide for unequivocal conclusions to be
drawn. To date, no standards have been published concerning the size of the structures of
the larynx and trachea or the mobility of the vocal cords on ultrasound examination in
the neonate. Additionally, there are no recommendations which include ultrasound
examination as a reliable component of the diagnosis of congenital disorders of the
larynx or other diseases of this organ.
Ultrasound is a non-invasive, repeatable and safe diagnostic method, which has recently,
thanks the development of technology, provided for the very accurate imaging of even
small structures, as well as their assessment on dynamic examination. Furthermore, the
easy availability of this examination may in the future contribute to the early diagnosis
of diseases of the larynx and trachea without the need to prolong neonatal
hospitalization or anaesthesia.
In addition, the use of neural networks to analyse the ultrasound images obtained will
provide for the development of algorithms which could become an irreplaceable tool, not
only in the diagnosis of the disorders described, but also in predicating disorders
affecting their further development or functional disorders in infancy.
The aim of the study is the accurate description of the ultrasound anatomy of the larynx
and trachea and to establish reference ranges for the size of individual structures of
the larynx and trachea in the neonatal population.
The study also aims to develop a universal method of ultrasound assessment of the
mobility of the vocal cords on dynamic examination and to determine a rule for predicting
the expected size of the laryngeal and tracheal structures in relation to anthropometric
measurements.
Furthermore, the aim of the study is to promote the use of a non-invasive examination,
such as ultrasonography, in the diagnosis of diseases of the larynx and trachea in the
youngest patients.
Additionally, the study will be conducted in order to develop artificial intelligence
algorithms based on artificial neural networks.