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Management of the compromised airway and role of tracheotomy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Author(s) -
Mani Navin,
McNamara Katherine,
Lowe Natalie,
Loughran Sean,
Yap Beng K.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.23857
Subject(s) - stridor , medicine , tracheotomy , airway obstruction , thyroid , airway , dysphagia , malignancy , otorhinolaryngology , airway management , surgery , general surgery
Background Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an uncommon thyroid malignancy with a poor prognosis. American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines acknowledge the complexity of airway management in these patients. We studied our local experience with the aim of providing guidance in airway management in ATC. Methods Patients with histologically confirmed ATC from January 2004 to December 2011 were identified from our institutional database. The data were retrospectively analyzed using hospital case notes. Results Twenty‐six patients were identified with ATC, 25 of who died from the disease. Five of 26 patients (19%) had stridor at presentation. A further 6 of 26 patients (23%) developed stridor during or soon after radiotherapy. Nine patients (36%) died of airway obstruction. Conclusion Tracheotomy can facilitate completion of palliative treatment in those patients with ATC and stridor. Given the short life expectancy of these patients, a balanced decision must be made regarding the role and timing of tracheotomy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 85–88, 2016