Cesur M, Alici H A, Erdem A F
Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2005 Feb;49(2):264-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2005.00612.x.
This report describes a case in which a large anterior osteophyte on the C2 and C3 vertebrae, due to ankylosing spondylitis, resulted in distortion of the anatomy of the upper airway and difficult intubation. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive inflammatory disease, characterized by stiffening of the joints and ligaments. Stiffness of the cervical spine, atlanto-occipital, temporomandibular and cricoarytenoid joints may cause difficult intubation (1). This report describes a case in which a large anterior osteophyte on the C2 and C3 vertebrae, associated with AS, resulted in distortion of the anatomy of the upper airway and difficult intubation.
