Postoperative respiratory difficulty due to asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophyte after brain tumor surgery: a case report.
10.4097/kjae.2016.69.6.640
- Author:
Hye Won SHIN
1
;
Joon Chul JANG
;
Hyong Hwan LIM
;
Min Kyung PARK
;
Go Eun BAE
;
Seung Uk CHOI
;
Ji Yong PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drhwshin@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Airway;
Anterior osteophyte;
Prone position;
Respiratory difficulty
- MeSH:
Aged;
Airway Obstruction;
Brain Neoplasms*;
Brain*;
Deglutition Disorders;
Dysphonia;
Edema;
Foreign Bodies;
Humans;
Intubation, Intratracheal;
Larynx;
Middle Aged;
Osteophyte*;
Pharynx;
Prone Position;
Sensation
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
2016;69(6):640-643
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Anterior cervical osteophytes are commonly found in elderly patients, but rarely produce symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can range from mild symptoms of dysphagia, dysphonia, and foreign body sensation to severe symptoms of airway obstruction due to compression of the pharynx or larynx. We report the case of a 59-year-old man who underwent brain tumor surgery, and developed post-operative respiratory difficulty due to progressive pharyngo-laryngeal edema, requiring urgent endotracheal intubation, secondary to the presence of a previously asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophyte. It is paramount to recognize that asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophytes are a potential cause of life-threatening post-operative respiratory complications that can rapidly progress to life-threatening airway obstruction after surgeries in the prone position, especially in elderly patients.
