Upper airway obstruction in a Nigerian girl with Diphtheria: Could blind nasotracheal intubation be the minimally invasive alternative treatment in a resource-constrained setting?

Abstract

Managing upper airway obstruction in patients with diphtheria can be challenging. In a resource-constrained setting with no Intensive Care Units, blind nasotracheal intubation could be lifesaving. We report an eight-year-old girl who presented with a sore throat, fever, neck swelling and severe pallor. Following the commencement of blood transfusion, she developed respiratory distress associated with restlessness, stridor and gasping for air. Emergency nasotracheal intubation resulted in resolution of the respiratory distress and other symptoms. While evaluating a child with diphtheria, the sudden emergence of restlessness and respiratory distress may signal upper airway obstruction. Urgent blind nasotracheal intubation may be lifesaving.