Intracranial placement of a nasotracheal tube after facial fracture: a rare complication

Abstract

Extensive facial trauma is often associated with fractures to the skull base, cribriform plate, and sphenoid sinus. Attempted intubation of patients with facial trauma may result in intracranial penetration and placement of nasogastric or nasotracheal tubes into the brain. Such a complication carries significant morbidity and mortality. Intracranial placement of nasogastric tubes has been reported multiple times in the literature. Intracranial placement of a nasotracheal tube, however, has been reported only twice. Such a case is presented, along with a review of the literature and a discussion.