Heinz Peter, Dunne John
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
Emerg Med Australas. 2004 Jun;16(3):241-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2004.00573.x.
Airway obstruction is a recognized complication in children with mediastinal masses. They typically present with difficulty in breathing and associated respiratory noises. General anaesthesia in these patients can lead to complete airway obstruction with fatal consequences. Successful management in the ED necessitates rapid recognition of the underlying problem and appropriate intervention. We report the case of a 7-year-old boy presenting with respiratory collapse and describe the management that led to successful resuscitation.