Unexpected aetiology in elderly patient presenting with acute hypercapnic coma

Altinsoy B., Altintas N., ÖZYURT S.

Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine, cilt.20, sa.4, ss.251-253, 2013 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 20 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2013
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/102490791302000411
  • Dergi Adı: Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.251-253
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Airway obstruction, Respiratory failure, Substernal goiter, Tracheostomy
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In an emergency room setting, hypercapnic respiratory failure is a clinical entity infrequently encountered. It results from inadequate removal of carbon dioxide from distal alveoli. Goitre is defined as abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. It may cause compression of surrounding structures including trachea as thyroid dimension increases. Goitre associated with breathing difficulty is a very well-known situation. Retrosternal goitre can be misinterpreted as asthma and can lead to diagnostic delay. We report a case in which the patient with retrosternal goitre presented rarely with acute hypercapnic coma.