What question did this study set out to answer?

To describe a safe airway management strategy in a patient with massive retrosternal thyroid swelling causing respiratory distress.

April 22, 2026CureusOpen Access

Massive Retrosternal Thyroid Swelling: A Supraglottic Solution

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

Case report highlights effective airway management in a patient with massive retrosternal thyroid swelling, suggesting adaptable strategies.

To describe a safe airway management strategy in a patient with massive retrosternal thyroid swelling causing respiratory distress.
Conducted awake fiberoptic nasal intubation under topical anesthesia and sedation.
Inserted a supraglottic airway device (i-gel®) after failed intubation attempt.
Utilized fiberoptic guidance for successful endotracheal intubation.
Awake fiberoptic intubation failed due to poor visibility but supraglottic device enabled oxygenation.
Successful placement of endotracheal tube beyond the compressed trachea.
Postoperative tracheostomy performed with an uncomplicated recovery.

Sharma et al. (2026) studied this question.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Case report highlights effective airway management in a patient with massive retrosternal thyroid swelling, suggesting adaptable strategies.