Abstract

Background: We describe the management of a pregnant female with preeclampsia, who presented at 33 weeks gestation in respiratory distress secondary to compression from a multinodular goiter.

Results: A multidisciplinary team was assembled, including anesthesiology, maternal fetal medicine, otolaryngology, and cardiothoracic surgery. The patient underwent a cesarean section followed by a total thyroidectomy for removal of the compressive thyroid goiter. Cardiothoracic surgery was included in this particular case because of the risk for acute loss of the airway, which could have necessitated cardiopulmonary bypass.

Conclusions: Airway obstruction from extra-tracheal compression in the setting of preeclampsia represents a unique management dilemma. Successful results can occur with a multidisciplinary approach to airway management.

Keywords: multinodular goiter, airway compression, pregnancy, preeclampsia, cardiopulmonary bypass