Acute pulmonary edema secondary to upper airway obstruction by bilateral vocal cord paralysis after total thyroidectomy: A case report.
10.4097/kjae.2012.62.4.387
- Author:
Won Ho KIM
1
;
Seung A RYU
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. bullet57@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Acute upper airway obstruction;
Pulmonary edema;
Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury;
Thyroidectomy;
Vocal cord paralysis
- MeSH:
Aged;
Airway Obstruction;
Diuretics;
Edema;
Female;
Humans;
Hypertension;
Morphine;
Positive-Pressure Respiration;
Pulmonary Edema;
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries;
Respiration, Artificial;
Thyroidectomy;
Vocal Cord Paralysis;
Vocal Cords
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
2012;62(4):387-390
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This paper reports the case of a 65-year-old woman with a history of mild arterial hypertension who presented with acute pulmonary edema immediately after a total thyroidectomy. The edema was found to have been caused by an acute upper airway obstruction secondary to bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Her pulmonary edema resolved with treatment including reintubation, mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure, diuretics, morphine, and fluid restriction. This report discusses the possible pathogenesis of this rare clinical situation. This case highlights the possibility of an acute upper airway obstruction caused by bilateral vocal cord paralysis after a total thyroidectomy and the need for prompt treatment to prevent the development of pulmonary edema.
