Transcarinal aspiration of a mediastinal cyst to facilitate anesthetic management

Marked airway obstruction and interference with gas exchange was encountered following institution of general anesthesia for resection of a cystic subcarinal mass. Intraoperative bronchoscopy revealed marked airway compression. The cyst was decompressed using a transbronchial needle through a fiberbronchoscope. This allowed for safe anesthetic management and resection of the mass.