Cesarean section in a pregnant patient with an anterior mediastinal mass and failed supradiaphragmatic irradiation

A case of B-cell lymphoma in a pregnant woman presenting with superior vena cava obstruction

We present a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a pregnant woman who presented at a very young age, which is unusual, and also the management dilemmas of a mediastinal mass in pregnancy. Maternal malignancies are very rare during pregnancy; this report gives a brief overview of the management and the complications that might be encountered.

Perioperative management of the pregnant patient with an anterior mediastinal mass

This article describes the perioperative risks of pregnant patients with anterior mediastinal masses, and demonstrates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for the management of high-risk patients. Mediastinal mass syndrome is defined as immediate right heart failure secondary to vascular compression when positive pressure ventilation is initiated. Greater emphasis on the potential for cardiovascular collapse (versus respiratory collapse) challenges the conventional teaching of risks associated with mediastinal masses in the adult population.

[Continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetrics]

Despite the theoretical advantages of continuous anesthesia in obstetric patients (good-quality blockade at low doses, good hemodynamic stability, rapid onset of effect, and no risk of toxicity), little has been published on this technique and its use in pregnancy. Moreover, few descriptive studies or comparative trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of continuous spinal anesthesia, probably because of concerns about potential adverse effects-principally neurologic complications and postdural puncture headache. We review the literature on the use of continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetric patients, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages, indications, and adverse effects of this technique.

Anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section in a patient with large anterior mediastinal tumour presenting as intrathoracic airway compression and superior vena cava obstruction

Anterior mediastinal mass is an uncommon pathology that presents significant anaesthetic challenges because of cardiopulmonary compromise. We present a case that presented in the third trimester of pregnancy with severe breathlessness, orthopnoea, and symptoms of superior vena cava obstruction. The patient had emergency Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia with a good outcome. The paper discusses the relevant perioperative considerations for this complex scenario and reviews reports of similar conditions.

Observational study of continuous spinal anesthesia with the catheter-over-needle technique for cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

Few studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetrics, although placement of a catheter in the intrathecal space theoretically offers advantages in these patients.

METHODS

Ninety-two women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery using continuous spinal anesthesia with the catheter-over-needle technique (22- or 24-gauge Spinocath) were included in the study. The doses of local anesthetic used, hemodynamic variables, use of ephedrine and other drugs, and incidence of complications such as technical failure and postdural puncture headache (PDPH) were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean (+/-SD) dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine used was 8.2+/-1.8 mg. The incidence of hypotension was 30% and the mean total dose of ephedrine was 4+/-7 mg. The continuous spinal anesthetic technique failed in 18 women (20%). The overall incidence of post-dural-puncture headache was 29%; 18% of patients with post-dural-puncture headache required a blood patch.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to previous reports, the incidence of block failure and PDPH in this study was unacceptably high and therefore the risks of the technique appear to outweigh the advantages of continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetric practice.

Anaesthesia for caesarean section in a woman with lung cancer: case report and review

A 33-year-old woman pregnant with twins was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer during pregnancy. Her multidisciplinary care raised many medical and ethical issues. To help decide on the best anaesthetic technique for caesarean section, a literature search of published case reports of pregnancy associated with lung cancer was performed. Thirty-five cases of primary lung cancer associated with pregnancy were found. Anaesthetic technique was reported in only five of the 20 patients who underwent caesarean section: one spinal, three epidurals and one general anaesthetic. Of the 11 patients who delivered vaginally, only one was reported to have received epidural analgesia. As published data regarding anaesthesia and analgesia are limited for women with lung cancer in pregnancy, we describe our perioperative approach and review the potential challenging aspects of management in a pregnant patient with metastatic lung cancer.

Mediastinal tumour in a pregnant patient presenting as acute cardiorespiratory compromise

A parturient at 35 weeks' gestation presented with severe shortness of breath, orthopnea and signs of fetal compromise. She was diagnosed with a large mediastinal tumour occupying 65% of transthoracic diameter, and a pericardial effusion. The trachea, both mainstem bronchi, pulmonary artery and superior vena cava were compressed. Her dyspnea continued despite relief of the cardiac tamponade by percutaneous drainage. Tissue obtained via anterior mediastinotomy, performed under local anesthesia infiltration, revealed a definitive diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient improved symptomatically following initiation of steroids and chemotherapy. She was delivered by elective cesarean section under epidural anesthesia on the fifth day after starting chemotherapy. The postoperative course was complicated by the development of a large pleural effusion that required drainage. Mother and baby were well at three and six-month follow up oncology visits.

Anesthesia for pericardial window in a pregnant patient with cardiac tamponade and mediastinal mass

PURPOSE

To present a case report of anesthesia for pericardial window surgery for acute cardiac tamponade in a patient with an anterior mediastinal mass in late pregnancy.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 34-yr-old gravida 2, para 1 patient presented at 29 weeks gestation with dyspnea, orthopnea, chest pain, and cough. Investigations showed an anterior mediastinal mass due to Hodgkin's disease. A course of vinblastine at 31 weeks gestation resulted in symptomatic improvement but at 34 weeks gestation she developed an acute cardiac tamponade for which pericardial window drainage was required. Additional help and equipment were assembled in case of cardiopulmonary deterioration. Intra-arterial pressure and continuous fetal monitoring were established and iv access was secured in both arms and the left foot. After awake fibreoptic intubation, spontaneous ventilation was maintained. Anesthesia consisted of local anesthetic infiltration of the anterior chest wall, supplemented with fentanyl, midazolam, and ketamine. The patient remained stable, was extubated fully awake, and then monitored in an intensive care area.

CONCLUSION

This patient presented with acute cardiac tamponade and an anterior mediastinal mass in late pregnancy, an unusual combination of challenges that requires a careful approach to anesthetic management.

Clinical case discussion: anesthesia for Cesarean section in a parturient with a large intrathoracic tumour

PURPOSE

To report the anesthetic management of a parturient with a large intrathoracic tumour, presenting for Cesarean section.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 28-yr-old parturient, gravida 1, presented at 33 weeks gestation with a one month history of increasing cough and dyspnea. A computed tomography scan demonstrated a large mass filling the right hemothorax, causing mediastinal displacement to the left and carinal compression. Both mainstem bronchi were compressed and there was near total obliteration of the lumens of the right lobar bronchi. A decision was taken to expedite delivery to allow for staging and treatment of her disease and Cesarean section was scheduled. She was seen in consultation and prescribed oxygen by nasal prongs, dextromethorphan for cough and ranitidine the evening before and the morning of surgery. A subarachnoid block was performed and a block to the upper thoracic dermatomes was achieved; surgery proceeded uneventfully with the patient's head and upper body elevated about 15 degrees from the supine. The patient was discharged to the medical oncology service for evaluation and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrathoracic tumours are uncommon in pregnancy. The physiological changes of pregnancy may mask not only the initial presentation but also, even advanced intrathoracic disease. Regional anesthesia is the anesthetic of choice and is rarely contraindicated by maternal condition.

Awake fibreoptic intubation, airway compression and lung collapse in a parturient: anaesthetic and intensive care management

A 28-year-old primigravida at 35 weeks gestation with acute onset of dyspnoea and stridor due to an intrathoracic neoplasm required semi-urgent caesarean section to allow diagnosis and treatment. Her inability to lie supine precluded regional anaesthesia. She underwent awake fibreoptic oral intubation followed by general anaesthesia. This was complicated by desaturation, high airway pressures, unilateral lung collapse, venous congestion and unexpected blood loss due to an undiagnosed placenta praevia.