Korean J Anesthesiol.  2016 Dec;69(6):640-643. 10.4097/kjae.2016.69.6.640.

Postoperative respiratory difficulty due to asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophyte after brain tumor surgery: a case report

• Shin HW
• Jang JC
• Lim HH
• Park MK
• Bae GE
• Choi SU
• Park JY

• KMID: 2360483
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2016.69.6.640

Abstract

Anterior cervical osteophytes are commonly found in elderly patients, but rarely produce symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can range from mild symptoms of dysphagia, dysphonia, and foreign body sensation to severe symptoms of airway obstruction due to compression of the pharynx or larynx. We report the case of a 59-year-old man who underwent brain tumor surgery, and developed post-operative respiratory difficulty due to progressive pharyngo-laryngeal edema, requiring urgent endotracheal intubation, secondary to the presence of a previously asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophyte. It is paramount to recognize that asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophytes are a potential cause of life-threatening post-operative respiratory complications that can rapidly progress to life-threatening airway obstruction after surgeries in the prone position, especially in elderly patients.

Keyword

Airway; Anterior osteophyte; Prone position; Respiratory difficulty

MeSH Terms

Aged
Airway Obstruction
Brain Neoplasms*
Brain*
Deglutition Disorders
Dysphonia
Edema
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal
Larynx
Middle Aged
Osteophyte*
Pharynx
Prone Position
Sensation