Tracheal obstruction and compromised ventilation due to mechanical compression by mediastinal mass during anesthetic induction :A case report

Yu, Soo Bong; Kim, Doo Sik; Lim, Ji Hoon; Ryu, Sie Jeong

Case Report

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2009;4(3):246-249.
Published online July 31, 2009.

Tracheal obstruction and compromised ventilation due to mechanical compression by mediastinal mass during anesthetic induction :A case report

Soo Bong Yu, Doo Sik Kim, Ji Hoon Lim, Sie Jeong Ryu

Department of Anesthesiololgy and Pain Clinic, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, Korea. siejeong@ns.kosinmed.or.kr

Abstract

At the confluence of the superior, anterior, and middle mediastinum are the middle portion of the superior vena cava, the tracheal bifurcation, the main pulmonary artery, the aortic arch, and parts of the cephalad surface of the heart.Tumors in this region can cause compression and obstruction of tracheobronchial tree in the region of tracheal carina even though there is no sign and symptom related to respiratory failure in preinduction period.We experienced airway (tracheal) obstruction due to mechanical compression by mediastinal mass during anesthetic induction.She is 24-year old who had no symptom of respiratory distress in preinduction period.

Key Words: airway obstruction, anesthesia, mediastinal mass