Complicated airway due to unexpected lingual tonsil hypertrophy

Airway management of lingual tonsillar hypertrophy: A narrative review

Lingual tonsillar hypertrophy is rarely identified on routine airway assessment but may cause difficulties in airway management. We conducted a narrative review of case reports of lingual tonsillar hypertrophy to examine associated patient factors, success rates of airway management techniques and complications. We searched the literature for anaesthetic management of cases with lingual tonsillar hypertrophy. We found 89 patients in various case reports, from which we derived 92 cases to analyse. 64% of cases were assessed as having a normal airway. Difficult and impossible face mask ventilation occurred in 29.6% and 1.4% of cases, respectively. Difficult intubation and failed intubation occurred in 89.1% and 21.7% of cases, respectively. Multiple attempts (up to six) at intubation were performed, with no successful intubation after the third attempt with direct laryngoscopy. Some 16.5% of patients were woken up and 4.3% required emergency front of neck access. Complications included oesophageal intubation (10.9%), bleeding (9.8%) and severe hypoxia (3.2%). Our findings show that severe cases of lingual hypertrophy may cause an unanticipated difficult airway and serious complications, including hypoxic brain damage and death. A robust airway strategy is required which includes limiting the number of attempts at laryngoscopy, and early priming and performance of emergency front of neck access if required. In patients with known severe lingual tonsillar hypertrophy, awake intubation should be considered.

Variations in Polysomnographic Indices of Obstructive Sleep Apnea following Lingual Tonsil Hypertrophy Excision: Is the Difference Significant?

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related respiratory disorder that affects between 5% and 20% of the population. In obstructive sleep apnea, lingual tonsillar hypertrophy (LTH) has been suggested as a contributing factor to airway blockage. Objectives: The aim of this work is to demonstrate the polysomnographic indices and their values in OSA patients with LTH before and after the surgical intervention. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on eighteen patients endoscopically diagnosed as having LTH, with the main complaints being snoring, sleep apnea, and/or sleep disturbance. Clinical examination, grading of LTH, body mass index (BMI), endoscopic assessment using Muller’s maneuver, and sleep endoscopy were recorded for all patients. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and overnight sleep polysomnography (PSG) were conducted before and after the surgical removal of LTH. All data were submitted for statistical analysis. Results: The mean ± SD of the AHI decreased from 33.89 ± 26.8 to 20.9 ± 19.14 postoperatively, and this decrease was of insignificant statistical value. The average SpO2 (%) mean ± SD was 91.14 ± 5.96, while the mean ± SD of the desaturation index was 34.64 ± 34.2. Following surgery, these indices changed to 96.5 ± 1.47 and 9.36 ± 7.58, respectively. The mean ± SD of the ESS was changed after the surgery, from 17.27 ± 6.48 to 7.16 ± 3.56. The mean ± SD of sleep efficacy was 71.2 ± 16.8 and the snoring index mean ± SD was 277.6 ± 192.37, and both improved postoperatively, to become 88.17 ± 9.1 and 62.167 ± 40.01, respectively. Conclusions: The AHI after lingual tonsillectomy showed no statistically significant change. The changes in the average SpO2 (%), desaturation index, sleep efficiency, snoring index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale following the surgery were statistically significant.

Comparison of the Effect of Laryngeal Mask Airway Versus Endotracheal Tube on Airway Management in Pediatric Patients with Tonsillar Hypertrophy

PURPOSE

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has become an important choice in both routine and difficult airway management. We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of LMA use in pediatric patients with tonsillar hypertrophy.

DESIGN

This study was a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

The study included 100 pediatric patients who had first or second degree tonsillar hypertrophy. Pediatric patients undergoing elective laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were randomly divided into two groups (n = 50): LMA group and the endotracheal tube (ETT) group. The primary outcomes were ventilation leak volume, peak airway pressure, and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (P_ETco₂). Data for primary outcomes were collected before and 5-, 15-, and 25-minute after opening pneumoperitoneum, and on closing the pneumoperitoneum. Complications such as laryngospasm, bronchospasm, desaturation, severe coughing, blood on the device after removal, and sore throat were recorded.

FINDINGS

A total of 100 pediatric patients were assessed and 97 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive an LMA (n = 49) or an ETT (n = 48). There was no statistically significant difference in ventilation leak volume and P_ETco₂ between the LMA and ETT groups (P > .05). Compared with T_1-4, peak airway pressure was significantly lower in T₀ (LMA group 12.6 ± 0.9, 95% confidence interval 12.2 to 13.0; ETT group 12.8 ± 1.2, 95% confidence interval 12.2 to 13.3; P < .05). The incidences of laryngospasm 11 (22.9%), desaturation 18 (37.5%), and severe coughing 13 (27%) were higher in the ETT group (11 [22.9%] vs 3 [6.1%], 18 [37.5%] vs 6 [12.2%], 13 [27%] vs 3 [6.1%]; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The application of LMA has a lower incidence of complications. LMA as an airway device is effective and perhaps superior in appropriate patients.

Lingual tonsils hypertrophy and possibility of its correction by physical factors

Introduction: The component of the lymphopharyngeal ring is the lingual tonsil (LT), located on the root of the tongue. With pathological changes in the lymphoid tissue of the pharynx, surgical removal of the tonsils, as a result of increased antigenic load, a compensatory increase in LT is observed – «lingual tonsillar hypertrophy». This is observed against the background of age-related involutive changes, when the remaining elements of the lymphopharyngeal ring begin to perform anti-antigenic and adaptive activity. The processes taking place in, the structure of the LT, which is familiar to the body, changes - the receptor apparatus creates pathological impulses from the organ. The severity of clinical manifestations correlates with the degree of increase in LT. The emphasis on these manifestations, psychosomatic conditions, create a complex of pathological sensations that violate the quality of patients’ life. The goal and objectives of the study are aimed at improving the quality of patients’ life with lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH), by developing effective methods of diagnosis and treatment, assessing the role of the immunoregulatory shift in the pathogenesis of LTH of the possibility of their correction by the action of a physical factor (cold destruction). Materials and methods: When examining 850 people who underwent complex research and instrumental diagnostics in connection with the pathology of ENT organs, 119 people (the main group) were diagnosed with different degrees of LTH, with control of 30 healthy people. Cryosurgical treatment was offered to 76 patients who used the method for treating of lingual tonsil hypertrophy by cryodestruction using a hook-shaped applicator with a heat-insulating nozzle on the back surface, an individual polyethylene cap, and a cryoapparatus. Results and discussions: With LTH, an increase in the volume and mass of tissues forming the morphological basis of the tonsil was detected: the main substance was an increase in the number and size of layers of coarse fibrous fibers, fields of fat cells, and the growth of mucous glands. The mucous membrane, thinning, undergoes dystrophic-degenerative changes. The rate of proliferation correlates with the severity of inflammation, the causes of which are multifactorial, individual. There is an increased sensitivity reaction to microbial and household allergens, an increase in the content of antibodies in the blood to LT tissues, a change in microbiocinosis of the pharyngeal mucosa, and vegetation of non-resident microflora. As a result of cryosurgical treatment in 56 (73.68%) cases, a decrease in the volume of LT tissue was observed. The deep layers, partially absorbed, were replaced by healthy tissues, the surface layers were rejected with the formation of an atrophic scar or regenerate, the structure of which was close to organotypic. The cause of pathological impulse was eliminated, clinical indicators were normalized, the quality of life of patients was improved. Conclusions: LTH should be considered as a continuation of the development of a productive process associated with immunoregulatory changes in chronic infectious and allergic conditions. Local cryogenicity on LTH was accompanied by normalization of the structure of its own substance, LT, and a decrease in inflammatory changes in surrounding tissues. The development of inflammatory changes in LT was a local manifestation of a general disturbance in the functioning of the immune defense system. Achieving a persistent positive effect in the treatment of LTH requires an integrated approach with mandatory systemic immune correction and hormonal correction.

Incidence of Lingual Tonsil Hypertrophy in Adults with and without Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objectives

To characterize the incidence of lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) in adults with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to determine any potential correlation between them.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Single-center database, September 2016 to April 2017.

Subject and Methods

Lingual tonsil grade (LTG) determined by awake endoscopy was collected as well as other physical examination findings, such as Friedman tongue position, palatine tonsil size, and neck circumference. STOP-BANG scores and polysomnography data were collected to characterize OSA. Incidence of clinically meaningful LTH (defined as LTG 3 and LTG 4) was compared between OSA and non-OSA groups.

Results

Ninety-three patient charts were studied in total. There was no significant difference between patients with and without OSA in the incidence of clinically meaningful LTH (OSA, 13.5%; non-OSA, 14.6%; P = .872). Patients with and without OSA were compared by grade: LTG 1, 13.5% (OSA) vs 35.6% (non-OSA); LTG 2, 73.1% (OSA) vs 48.8% (non-OSA); LTG 3, 13.5% (OSA) vs 14.6% (non-OSA). There were no significant correlations between OSA status and LTG (ρ = 0.190, P = .069).

Conclusion

The incidence of LTH is uncommon, even among those with OSA, and does not seem to differ between patients with and without OSA. Neck circumference appears to be a better clinical indicator than lingual tonsil tissue for the likelihood of a patient having OSA.

Tratamiento quirúrgico por otorrinolaringología en el síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS)

El síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS) se caracteriza por la obstrucción parcial o el colapso total de la vía aérea superior, de manera intermitente y repetitiva, por lo que, en un principio, se vio el manejo quirúrgico como una alternativa curativa para esta patología. Sin embargo, en la actualidad se reconoce que la cirugía, aun sin lograr tasas de efectividad muy altas de manera consistente, sí mejora la tolerancia y adaptación a la terapia de presión positiva, la cual sigue siendo la primera línea de manejo.Así, el primer paso antes de pensar en cualquier procedimiento quirúrgico es un adecuado diagnóstico topográfico, de modo que siempre se debe realizar una nasofibrolaringoscopia para identificar el o los sitios de obstrucción. Además, se sabe que el 75% de los pacientes presentan obstrucciones en múltiples niveles y que, cuando el abordaje se hace multinivel, se logra corregir el SAHOS hasta en un 95%. Entre los procedimientos vigentes se encuentran cirugías de nariz, paladar blando, amígdalas, base de lengua, estimulación del nervio hipogloso y procedimientos del esqueleto facial, así como procedimientos coadyuvantes, entre los que están radiofrecuencia e implantes de paladar.

Lingual Tonsil Hypertrophy: rescuing the airway with videolaryngoscopy

Lingual tonsils are lymphatic tissues located at the base of the tongue that may hypertrophy causing difficulty and sometimes inability to ventilate or intubate during anesthesia. Routine airway assessment fails to diagnose lingual tonsil hypertrophy. There is limited experience with use of videolaryngoscopy in cases of lingual tonsil hypertrophy. We present a case of difficult airway due to unanticipated lingual tonsil hypertrophy successfully managed by atypical video laryngoscope positioning.

The diagnostic validity of clinical airway assessments for predicting difficult laryngoscopy using a grey zone approach

Objectives

The diagnostic validity of clinical airway assessment tests for predicting difficult laryngoscopy in patients requiring endotracheal intubation were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and a grey zone approach.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, patients were evaluated during a pre-anaesthetic visit. Predictive airway assessment tests (i.e. Modified Mallampati [MMT] classification; upper lip bite test [ULBT]; mouth opening; sternomental distance; thyromental distance [TMD]; neck circumference; neck mobility; height to thyromental distance [HT/TMD]; neck circumference-to-thyromental distance [NC/TMD]) were performed on each patient and LEMON, Naguib, and MACOCHA scores were also calculated. In addition, laryngeal images were acquired and assessed for percentage of glottic opening (POGO) scores. A POGO score of zero was categorized as difficult laryngoscopy.

Results

The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy was 14.4% (35/243). Although seven predictive airway assessments (i.e. MMT classification, ULBT, mouth opening, HT/TMD, NC/TMD, and the LEMON and Naguib models) predicted difficult laryngoscopy by ROC analyses, a grey zone approach showed that the parameters were inconclusive in approximately 70% of patients. From all the tests, the HT/TMD ratio showed the highest sensitivity (80.0%) and ULBT had the highest specificity (95.2%).

Conclusion

Using the grey zone approach, all predictive airway assessment tests showed large inconclusive zones which may explain previous inconsistent results in the prediction of difficult laryngoscopy. Our results suggest that the usefulness of clinical airway evaluation tests for predicting difficult laryngoscopy remains controversial.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01719848)