[A case of giant thyroid tumor with tracheal stenosis]

A 61-year-old female underwent resection of a giant thyroid tumor, and tracheal stenosis ensued. She had cough, dyspnea, and palpitation in the supine position. The giant thyroid tumor was of the size of 11 x 12 cm and the diameter of trachea was 8 x 6 mm at 3.5 cm below the vocal cord, at which point the trachea was the narrowest on cervical computed tomography. The peak expiratory flow rate from the flow-volume curve was 2.94 l x sec(-1) (% predicted value 55.2%) in the upright position. We were concerned about difficult airway management. Oro-tracheal intubation with an armored tube (ID 7.5 mm) was performed after intravenous midazolam 2 mg and fentanyl 50 microg, 4% lidocaine spray 2 ml with oxygen 6 l x min(-1) inhalation keeping spontaneous breathing and consciousness. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with intravenous propofol, fentany, vecuronium and nitrous oxide in oxygen to keep the bispectral index between 40 and 60. The extracted thyroid tumor was 620 g in weight. A careful preoperative evaluation of the airway using ultrasonography, CT, MRI, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and respiratory function test, especially peak expiratory flow rate of the flow-volume curve is important in such a case of a giant thyroid tumor. Intubation under conscious sedation with midazolam and fentanyl is useful for a patient with a giant thyroid tumor and tracheal stenosis.