In acromegaly, which factors predispose to a difficult airway?

In acromegaly, which factors predispose to a difficult airway?

• A. Enlargement of the tongue and epiglottis
• B. Narrowing of the glottic opening
• C. Nasal turbinate enlargement
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

In acromegaly, excess growth hormone leads to diffuse soft-tissue swelling and bony overgrowth in the airway, which makes management of the airway more difficult. The tongue and epiglottis tend to enlarge, crowding the oropharynx and hindering both mask ventilation and visualization of the glottis during laryngoscopy. There can also be narrowing of the glottic opening due to thickened laryngeal tissues, further limiting access to the vocal cords. Additionally, enlargement of the nasal turbinates can cause nasal obstruction, complicating nasal airway placement or nasal endotracheal intubation. Because these changes can occur together, all of the above factors contribute to a difficult airway in acromegaly.

In acromegaly, excess growth hormone leads to diffuse soft-tissue swelling and bony overgrowth in the airway, which makes management of the airway more difficult. The tongue and epiglottis tend to enlarge, crowding the oropharynx and hindering both mask ventilation and visualization of the glottis during laryngoscopy. There can also be narrowing of the glottic opening due to thickened laryngeal tissues, further limiting access to the vocal cords. Additionally, enlargement of the nasal turbinates can cause nasal obstruction, complicating nasal airway placement or nasal endotracheal intubation. Because these changes can occur together, all of the above factors contribute to a difficult airway in acromegaly.