Difficult nasotracheal intubation: a previously unreported anatomical cause

Ann Emerg Med. 1985 Mar;14(3):258-60. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(85)80451-0.

Abstract

Anatomic and congenital abnormalities of the nasal pharynx may make nasotracheal intubation difficult. We present a case of a patient who was comatose from a drug overdose and who required endotracheal intubation. Blind nasotracheal intubation was attempted and was initially unsuccessful due to the presence of a congenital pharyngeal bursa. After the cause of the obstruction was recognized, guided nasotracheal intubation was accomplished without complications. The patient made an uneventful recovery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Gastric Lavage
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
  • Nasopharynx / abnormalities*
  • Piperidones / poisoning

Substances

  • Piperidones