Cricoid Pressure: Beware the Patient with a Goitre

Abstract

A case of acute thyroid swelling is reported following intubation of a young woman with a pre-existing small goitre.

The thyroid enlargement then distorted the airway, necessitating an emergency thyroidectomy.

The application of cricoid pressure was believed to have caused the intrathyroidal bleeding and the complications of cricoid pressure are reviewed.

Keywords

THYROID: goitre haemorrhage airway compromise CRICOID PRESSURE: complications

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