Upper airway obstruction in neurofibromatosis

Abstract

A patient with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis developed severe upper airway obstruction at the induction of anaesthesia and required emergency cricothyroidotomy. The cause was a neurofibroma at the base of the tongue. Features of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis which may be of importance to the anaesthetist are reviewed.