A case of unexpectedly difficult intubation caused by a large asymptomatic choanal polyp

Abstract We report a case of unexpectedly difficult intubation in a patient with a huge but asymptomatic choanal polyp. A 77-year-old man with invasive bladder cancer was scheduled for total cystectomy under general anesthesia. However, tracheal intubation with a Macintosh laryngoscope proved imposs...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yoko Hori, Kana Taniguchi, Tadashi Okabe, Atsuhiro Sakamoto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2016-01-01
Series:JA Clinical Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40981-016-0028-7
Description
Summary:Abstract We report a case of unexpectedly difficult intubation in a patient with a huge but asymptomatic choanal polyp. A 77-year-old man with invasive bladder cancer was scheduled for total cystectomy under general anesthesia. However, tracheal intubation with a Macintosh laryngoscope proved impossible due to obstruction by a large oropharyngeal tumor. Using a video laryngoscope, intubation was successfully achieved. Choanal polyps are not uncommon, but large choanal polyps reaching the oropharynx appear relatively rare. Anesthesia and airway management for large oropharyngeal tumor has not been sufficiently discussed.
ISSN:2363-9024