Abstract

Stenosis of the subglottic area is a common complication of endotracheal intubation and external blunt trauma. Chondronecrosis of the cricoid cartilage is a rare but known complication of neck radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma. It has also been reported as a complication of prolonged endotracheal intubation. The clinical and bronchoscopic findings are non-specific and the diagnosis can not be accurately established without surgical evidence or computed tomographic (CT) findings. In addition to technical issues related intubation, multiple anatomic and host factors can contribute to the pathogenesis of this uncommon entity. In this report, we describe the clinical and radiographic findings of a recent case and review the literature. To our knowledge, this is the second case of cricoid chondronecrosis in an adult patient occurring after only a few hours of intubation.

Authors

Ali AA, Shweihat YR, Bartter T

Source

The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society 108:9 2012 Feb pg 192-4

MeSH

Cricoid Cartilage
Female
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal
Middle Aged
Necrosis
Postoperative Complications
Rectal Neoplasms

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22435316