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Background: Age‐related pediatric airway dimension reference values for cricoid, tracheal, and bronchial diameters as well as tracheal and bronchial lengths are essential for distinguishing normal from pathological airway findings and for manufacturing and selecting appropriately sized airway equipment. Aim: The aim of this work was to summarize and present existing pediatric airway dimension data for the larynx, trachea, and main stem bronchi from fetus to adolescence. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar. Publications containing original data on pediatric airway dimensions as mean or median in tabular form and spanning narrow age groups of 1 or 2 years were included in our study. Original data such as diameters, lengths, and cross‐sectional areas of trachea, cricoid, left and right main bronchi in fetuses and children were collected and presented as figures. Results: Pediatric airway dimension data were gathered and compiled from 15 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Data were obtained from different measurement methods such as autopsy, chest X‐ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, rigid and flexible bronchoscopy as well as ultrasound examinations. There was considerable variation among age‐related data due to biologic heterogeneity, different presentation of data, different definitions, and various measurement techniques. Conclusion: This investigation revealed heterogeneous data on pediatric airway dimensions, making it impossible to compile them into standard reference values for airway dimensions. New studies with structured and standardized measurements and data presentation in large populations of children are required to provide more valid pediatric airway dimension data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the available evidence for the clinical effectiveness and biohazard safety of a full-body digital X-ray imaging system (Lodox) in acute medical emergencies.Methods: Electronic databases (including PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library; up to January 2014) and reference lists of articles were searched. The quality of the included studies was determined, and a narrative assessment was undertaken.Results: A total of 256 articles were reviewed. Fifteen clinical studies and eight case series met the eligibility criteria. All 23 studies reporting use of a full-body X-ray imaging system in acute medical emergencies on Lodox. Based on figures in six studies comprising various evaluation methods, image quality of Lodox was mostly comparable to that of conventional X-rays and the radiation dose was considerably lower. Lodox demonstrated a sensitivity ranging from 62% to 73%, and a specificity ranging from 99% to 100% compared with CT for the evaluation of emergency patients with polytrauma, which is similar to that of conventional X-rays. Examination time using Lodox ranged from 3.5  to 13.9 min compared with 8 to 25.7 min using conventional X-rays. However, there was no evidence it significantly shortened resuscitation time or emergency department length of stay. Publication bias might have occurred; some published studies might have been influenced by conflicts of interest.Conclusions: The Lodox machine is capable of rapidly scanning the entire body and offers an equivalent diagnostic assessment tool compared with conventional X-rays. It seems to have the potential to reduce cumulative radiation dosage for emergency patients compared with conventional X-rays. Application of Lodox might be helpful to reduce resource use and simplify care in lower-resourced areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]