Acute obstruction of an endotracheal tube: a case report.

This report describes a case of sudden ventilatory failure, originally diagnosed as bronchospasm, in a child during general anesthesia. A blood clot impaction in the nasotracheal tube was detected using flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The clot was successfully treated as a result of its passage. We hope this report will stress to dental anesthesiologists the intraoperative importance of fiberoptic bronchoscopy not only as an intubation-aiding device but also as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.