Esophageal polyp as a posterior mediastinal mass: Intraoperative dynamic airway obstruction requiring emergency tracheostomy

Abstract

Anesthesia in the presence of a mediastinal mass is difficult and challenging as the mass can involve or compress the heart, great vessels, tracheo-bronchial tree and the surrounding structures. We describe a case of severe tracheo-bronchial obstruction requiring emergency tracheostomy during the intraoperative period after an uneventful induction of anesthesia in a patient with a large esophageal polyp presenting as a posterior mediastinal mass.

Is computed tomography scan the ultimate modality for airway evaluation?

“…As CT scan provides only static image,[ 4 ] fiberoptic bronchoscopy does have a role in such patients because it provided dynamic imaging. [ 5 ] As magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides excellent soft tissue contrast,[ 6 ] so it is an important preoperative investigation for tumors of the mediastinum. [ 7 8 ] We suggest a preoperative MRI for proper anesthetic planning in such patients.…”