A PATIENT PRESENTING FOR PHARYNGEAL BIOPSY

A 68-yr-old man presented for pharyngeal biopsy under general anaesthe sia. Coincidentally he was found to have a large mediastinal mass. The evaluation of this patient is described. The exact risk of catastroph ic airway collapse on induction of anaesthesia in patients with medias tinal masses is controversial but probably small. As there is no test to prevent airway collapse, it is suggested that attempts at biopsy be performed with regional anaesthesia after radiotherapy.