Anterior mediastinal mass in a pregnant patient: anesthetic management and considerations

Patients with anterior mediastinal masses are recognized to be at risk for cardiorespiratory compromise when general anesthesia is induced. Likewise, pregnancy has a widely known constellation of potential complications that confront the anesthesiologist. The combination of both problems in a single patient presents an unusual anesthetic challenge. The following is a case report of a pregnant patient with a large, symptomatic anterior mediastinal mass who required general anesthesia for a diagnostic procedure before definitive therapy could be initiated.