Steering critical paediatric airway obstruction: insights from juvenile onset laryngeal papillomatosis.

Abstract

Juvenile onset laryngeal papillomatosis is a relatively rare, benign, chronic, yet aggressive tumour caused by the human papillomavirus. We report the case of a toddler boy weighing 15 kg, referred from another health centre with a history of noisy breathing and occasional chest discomfort. CT suggested subglottic stenosis. On presentation, the child was having both inspiratory and expiratory stridor and tachypnoea, and emergency intervention was deemed necessary. With informed consent from the parents, difficult airway management was readied, including a plan for the cannot intubate and cannot oxygenate (CICO) scenario. Check video laryngoscopy (VL) using a Karl-Storz C-MAC system under ketamine and sevoflurane sedation while preserving spontaneous ventilation revealed dynamic airway obstruction with limited space even to negotiate a 3 mm endotracheal tube (ETT). Therefore, shearing the mass with forceps by the surgeon under C-MAC laryngoscopy was planned and performed on the spot. The trachea was finally intubated using a 3 mm ETT to allow further elimination of the tumorous mass. Spontaneous breathing with continuous positive pressure was preserved during the procedure. Episodes of desaturation were managed. Further surgical procedure was completed without any complications, and the child was extubated smoothly. This case highlights the critical importance of multidisciplinary teamwork, sound sense and practicality in managing complex paediatric airway obstruction at the level of the laryngeal inlet, where airway dynamics are unpredictable.