Diagnosis of Extrinsic Upper Esophageal Compression Utilizing Video Laryngoscopy in an Infant Following Failed Transesophageal Echocardiogram Probe Placement. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hubbard, Richard Marshall; Santiago, Gabrielle; Uppu, Santosh; Roy, Soham; Gautam, Nischal
• Is Part Of: Seminars in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. Volume 24:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 360
• Page End: 363
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: cardiac anesthesia -- cardiac surgery -- children -- neonate -- transesophageal echocardiography; Cardiovascular system -- Surgery -- Methods -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Methods -- Periodicals; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; Anesthetics -- Periodicals; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; Anesthetics -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures -- methods -- Periodicals; Thoracic Surgical Procedures -- methods -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1177/1089253220954692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1089-2532

Abstract

Anesthesiologists are frequently responsible for placement of transesophageal echocardiography probes prior to cardiac surgery in children. A number of potential complications are possible, including placement failure. This report documents one such failed attempt at probe placement in a 3-month-old patient with a history of ventricular septal defect, and the utilization of video laryngoscopy by the anesthesiologist to diagnose a previously unknown extrinsic esophageal compression likely caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery. This case highlights the multiple vascular anomalies that may act as a source of esophageal obstruction in children undergoing transesophageal echocardiography for cardiac surgery.