Aaron S Griffin1, Rivindi Gunasena2, Nathan R Schaefer3, Edmund Kennedy2. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia ; School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia. 2. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 3. School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia ; Department of Surgery, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vascular malformations are generally detected in childhood or adolescence with first presentations in adulthood being rare. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 52-year-old female with threatened compromise of her airway after expectorating a massive arteriovenous malformation anchored at the supraglottis. The only preceding symptom was dysphagia. The lesion was resected, the patient had a quick recovery, and she has shown no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, vascular malformations of the supraglottis or hypopharynx should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with dysphagia because of the potential to cause disastrous airway compromise. Although a lesion presenting acutely mandates a definitive airway plan, when clinically possible, computed tomography scan and indirect laryngoscopy can provide useful information for the airway and operative teams.
BACKGROUND: Vascular malformations are generally detected in childhood or adolescence with first presentations in adulthood being rare. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 52-year-old female with threatened compromise of her airway after expectorating a massive arteriovenous malformation anchored at the supraglottis. The only preceding symptom was dysphagia. The lesion was resected, the patient had a quick recovery, and she has shown no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, vascular malformations of the supraglottis or hypopharynx should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with dysphagia because of the potential to cause disastrous airway compromise. Although a lesion presenting acutely mandates a definitive airway plan, when clinically possible, computed tomography scan and indirect laryngoscopy can provide useful information for the airway and operative teams.
Entities:
Keywords:
Arteriovenous malformations; deglutition disorders; head and neck neoplasms; obstructed airway; vascular malformations