Tracheal compression caused by aneurysms of the aortic arch. Implications for the anaesthetist.
Two cases of severe tracheal compression caused by aortic arch aneurysm are reported. There was a marked similarity in the clinical presentation of these patients but the different outcomes of surgical resection appeared to be related to the content of the aneurysms. The first patient had a fixed obstruction due to solid clot, which proved irreversible; while the second had an aneurysm containing fluid blood. The anaesthetic management of this complication is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology*