Stridor and difficult airway in an AIDS patient

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common malignancy observed in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although KS involves the head and neck in AIDS patients, difficult airway due to KS in an AIDS patient has rarely been reported in the literature. We report a patient with AIDS and cutaneous KS who developed inspiratory stridor and required an emergent tracheostomy. AIDS patients with cutaneous KS should have an assessment of the upper airway even in the absence of airway-related symptoms. If KS is present in the upper airway, fiber optic and/or radiologic studies are indicated to assess the extent of KS, and to define the appropriate interventions.