Preoperative airway evaluation using multi-slice three-dimensional computed tomography for a patient with severe tracheal stenosis

Br J Anaesth. 2004 Dec;93(6):865-7. doi: 10.1093/bja/aeh283. Epub 2004 Oct 1.

Abstract

A 71-yr-old female with a malignant thyroid tumour was to undergo thyroidectomy under general anaesthesia. Preoperative chest x-ray and plain computed tomography (CT) showed severe tracheal stenosis. Three-dimensional figures of the trachea and a virtual bronchoscopic movie were obtained from multi-slice CT to evaluate the stenotic region and to simulate fibroscopic tracheal intubation, respectively. After induction of general anaesthesia with propofol, a tracheal tube was successfully passed through the stenotic region under the guide of a fibroscope as simulated in the virtual movie. We conclude that multi-slice CT is useful for preoperative airway evaluation for patients with stenosis and distortion of the trachea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
  • Preoperative Care / methods*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / complications
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tracheal Stenosis / etiology