Catastrophic XXXX of emergent endotracheal intubation: report of 2 cases.

@entity1 @entity1688 @entity53960 @entity66 @entity174 @entity16 @entity1691
UNASSIGNED: Although exceedingly rare, catastrophic @entity16 may result from endotracheal intubation of @entity1 with preexisting cervical @entity66 . The authors report on 2 cases of @entity1688 resulting from emergent endotracheal intubation in the intensive care unit. A 68-year-old @entity1 with @entity1691 became @entity1688 after emergent intubation. A new C6-7 fracturedislocation was identified, and the @entity1 underwent emergent open reduction and C4-T2 posterior fixation and fusion. The @entity1 remained @entity1688 and ultimately died of pneumonia 1 year later. This is the first report with radiographic documentation of a cervical @entity174 resulting from intubation in a @entity1 with @entity1691 . A 73-year-old @entity1 underwent posterior C6-T1 decompression and fixation for a C6-7 @entity174 . On postoperative Day 12, emergent intubation for respiratory distress resulted in C6-level @entity1688 . Imaging revealed acute spondyloptosis at C6-7, and the @entity1 underwent emergent open reduction with revision and extension of posterior fusion from @entity53960 -2. He remained @entity1688 and ventilator dependent. Five days after the second operation, care was withdrawn. This is the first report of intubation as a cause of significant @entity16 related to disruption of a recently fixated cervical @entity174 . Risk factors are identified and pertinent literature is reviewed for cases of catastrophic @entity16 after emergent endotracheal intubation. Strategies for obtaining airway control in @entity1 with cervical spine pathology are also identified. Awareness of the potential dangers of airway management in @entity1 with cervical spine pathology is critical for all involved subspecialty team members.
