Subcutaneous emphysema following Trans-Cricothyroid Membrane injection of local anesthetic

Purpose: To present a case of preoperative subcutaneous emphysema (SCE) as a complication of trans-cricothyroid membrane (TCM) injection of lidocaine for awake intubation. Clinical features: A 48-yr-old man with cervical myelopathy was scheduled f or elective cervical discectomy. Airway topical anesthesia consisted of lid ocaine pledgets and TCM injection. After successful awake fibreoptic intuba tion was performed, SCE was noted in the neck region. The main differential diagnosis of preoperative SCE included air leak via the anterior needle tr ack from TCM injection or disruption of mucosal membrane in the aerodigesti ve tract. The latter was excluded by panendoscopy and an upper GI swallow s tudy. The most likely explanation for SCE was air leak from the anterior ne edle tract. The subcutaneous emphysema resolved spontaneously without seque lla. Conclusion: Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare but potentially serious compli cation of TCM injection of lidocaine. Anesthesiologists should be familiar with the differential diagnosis, investigations and management of SCE.