Airway management of tracheomediastinal fistula

Abstract

Tracheomediastinal fistulae may arise due to trauma, severe infection or malignancy. This case report describes management of a patient with tracheomediastinal fistula presenting for a CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of a liver tumour under general anaesthesia. Airway management of these patients can be challenging. Securing the airway prevention of further expansion of pneumomediastinum with intermittent postive pressure ventilation is a major concern.