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.