Airway management in a child with anterior mediastinal mass complicated by cardiac tamponade - Role of spontaneous ventilation.

Induction of general anesthesia in patients with mediastinal mass can lead to life threatening respiratory and cardiovascular complications during induction, maintenance and emergence. The inability of pediatric patient to cooperate for local anesthesia further complicates the management of such cases. Here we report the management of a child with anterior mediastinal mass causing airway compression and massive pericardial effusion posted for right pleuropericardial window.