Mainstem Bronchus Intubation: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: A complication of intubation where the endotrachial tube is advanced too far down the trachea to end up in one of the bronchi (more commonly on the right because of its straight angle). This can be detected easily on chest x-ray.

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Tags: Pulmonary Tag this Diagnosis.

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Mainstem Bronchus Intubation are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Pre-Test Probability (Prevalence): %.	Post-Test Probability (Predictive Value): %.	Switch to display mode.
Note that calculating probabilities from more than one** finding is inherently inaccurate because findings are not independent. (For example, using two positive findings that share a common pathogenesis is likely to overestimate the true probability.)

Sensitive and Specific Findings
Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Depth of ETT Insertion	+ 0 -	88%	98%
20-21 cm in women and 22-23 cm in men Study: BMJ 2010; 341:c5943 http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c5943.abstract

Specific Findings
Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Auscultation	+ 0 -	65%	93%
Study: BMJ 2010; 341:c5943 http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c5943.abstract
[ + ] Symmetrical Chest Rise	+ 0 -	43%	90%
(by observation) Study: BMJ 2010; 341:c5943 http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c5943.abstract