[A case of a patient with Forestier's disease--intubation by Airway Scope and bronchofiberscope].

ABSTRACT

Forestier's disease accompanies difficult airway management with the ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine. The abnormalities include limited cervical mobility, constrained epiglottic elevation, exclusion of the part of aryepiglottic, recurrent nerve paralysis and thinning of respiratory tract mucosa. We planned endotracheal intubation using both AWS and bronchofiberscope in a patient with Forestier's disease. We could easily confirm his glottis by using AWS and evaluate his respiratory tract below the glottis by bronchofiberscope. We could intubate an enforced tube (internal diameter 7.5 mm) with the bronchofiberscope guidance without any complications. This procedure seems to be safe for intubation in a Forestier's disease patient.