title: Unanticipated Compression of the Trachea in a 5-Month-Old Undergoing an MRI for Evaluation of Neurofibromatosis.
abstract: Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal-dominant disorder with the tendency toward the formation of tumors. Plexiform neurofibromas are the most common type of tumors seen in neurofibromatosis type 1. Approximately 50% occur in the head and neck region with a 5% incidence of airway involvement. We describe the case of a 5 month old with a plexiform neurofibroma of the neck who developed complete airway obstruction on induction of anesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a skull base neurofibroma extending to the hypopharynx and resulting in deviation of the airway. Because of the possibility of airway involvement, a careful preanesthetic evaluation as well as a slow induction with the maintenance of spontaneous ventilation should be considered in patients presenting with facial neurofibromas.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Uduak Ursula
authors.initials: UU
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Acsa M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zavala
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Meter
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rebello
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Owusu-Agyemang
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018318:Neurofibroma, Plexiform / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D014132:Trachea / Q000503:physiopathology*