Cardiac Arrest in a Child with an Anterior Mediastinal Mass

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

“…The variation in decubitus may worsen the already existing signs and symptoms: in the supine position, an anterior mediastinal mass may compress the trachea or the heart by means of gravity, with possible cardiorespiratory problems. Direct compression of the common trunk of the pulmonary artery is also possible, although this is not as likely to happen, given that such structure is cranially protected by the aortic arch [16]. The presence of dyspnea at rest, especially in the sitting position, carries a severe prognostic significance in patients with mediastinal syndromes.…”

The obstructed airway in head and neck surgery

“…Sudden respiratory obstruction can happen at any stage of the anaesthetic. It most commonly occurs after administration of a muscle relaxant and tracheal intubation [11][12][13][14][15], but problems have also been encountered during inhalation induction [16,17], after reversal of neuromuscular blockade and tracheal tube withdrawal [18,19] and in the recovery room [20]. Difficulty in inflation of the lungs is most probably due to the change in lung mechanics which occurs during Anaesthesia, 1999 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ anaesthesia, and particularly after administration of a muscle relaxant.…”

The anesthetic challenges of a diagnostic biopsy of a large posterior mediastinal mass causing severe obstruction at the carinal level- Case report

“…The most feared perioperative complication is cardiorespiratory collapse which can occur at any point during the surgery such as induction of anesthesia with the use of sedatives, hypnotics, neuromuscular relaxants, positive pressure ventilation, positioning and handling or manipulation of the mediastinal mass. There have also been reports of cardiovascular collapse during emergence as a result of tracheomalacia secondary to prolonged compression by the mediastinal mass [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”