Prominent occiput with pediatric airway obstruction
Prominent occiput with pediatric airway obstruction
Without support under the shoulders, the prominent occiput causes the head to flex forward and obstruct the airway in this sedated infant (A). With a shoulder roll in place, the airway is now in neutral position and clear (B).
Reproduced from: Santillanes, G, Gausche-Hill, M. Pediatric airway management. Emerg Med Clin North Am 2008; 26:961. Illustration used with the permission of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.