77-year-old female with Wegener’s granulomatosis, admitted the previous day with difficulty swallowing and drooling secondary to lateral pharyngeal wall cellulitis. On examination she had a bull neck but no clear signs of external swelling, was intubated with a size 6.0 ETT and requiring minimal ventilatory support. The ETCO2 trace showed a pattern of obstruction.
Candidates were directed to assess her suitability for extubation. Discussion points also included management of upper airway obstruction.