Awake tracheal intubation with the intubating laryngeal mask in a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, otherwise known as Forestier's disease or ankylosing hyperostosis, is a relatively common condition that is distinguished from ankylosing spondylitis by the relative preservation of spinal function and the characteristic 'candle flame' lipping of the vertebrae. We report a patient with this condition and a well-recorded history of impossible intubation who presented for emergency laparotomy. The patient was intubated awake using the intubating laryngeal mask and sedation and anaesthesia were provided by a target-controlled infusion of propofol.