Difficult intubation from gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults.
Two cases of difficult intubation are presented. Both cases presented with red swollen arytenoids, swollen false vocal cords, and subglottic stenosis. Tracheal intubation could not be achieved for these reasons. Both patients were placed on gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs and histamine-two blocker, as a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was made. In one case, follow-up by an otolaryngotic surgeon showed reversal of the above findings. In the other case, one tracheal intubation was achieved eventually. GERD occurs frequently. Clinicians need to maintain a high index of suspicion for GERD-related airway changes so as to avoid potential difficult intubations.
Cantillo
J
J
Department of Anesthesiology, The Cooper Health System, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
Cypel
D
D
Schaffer
S R
SR
Goldberg
M E
ME
D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000473:pathology; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists