Management of the compromised airway and the role of tracheostomy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
Affiliation
Specialty Registrar, Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, The Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK.Issue Date
2014-09-12
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Introduction Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an uncommon thyroid malignancy with a poor prognosis. American Thyroid Association 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 - December 2011 were identified from our institutional database. The data was retrospectively analyzed using hospital case notes. Results 26 patients were identified with ATC, 25 of which died from the disease. 5 out of 26 patients (19%) had stridor at presentation. A further 6 out of 26 (23%) developed stridor during or soon after radiotherapy. 9 patients (36%) died from 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. Head Neck, 2014.Citation
Management of the compromised airway and the role of tracheostomy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. 2014: Head NeckJournal
Head & NeckDOI
10.1002/hed.23857PubMed ID
25215461Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1097-0347ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1002/hed.23857