Unusual presentation of acute upper airway obstruction caused by an anterior mediastinal mass.

Akhtar, T M; Ridley, S; Best, C J · Br J Anaesth · 1991

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

We report an unusual case of acute upper airway obstruction. Inhalation of a foreign body caused choking in a 5-yr-old child, but subsequent investigations revealed a large anterior mediastinal tumour, externally compressing the trachea and the main bronchi. Such a presentation may be deceptive and is important, as general anaesthesia may result in complete airway obstruction with fatal consequences.

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