Case scenario: bronchospasm during anesthetic induction.

B RONCHOSPASM, the clinical feature of exacerbated underlying airway hyperreactivity, has the potential to become an anesthetic disaster. During the perioperative period, bronchospasm usually arises during induction of anesthesia but may also be detected at any stage of the anesthetic course. Accordingly, prompt recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial for an uneventful patient outcome. Perioperative bronchospasm (i.e., the clinical expression of exacerbated underlying airway reactivity) may be associated with type E immunoglobulin (IgE)-mediated anaphylaxis or may occur as an independent clinical entity, triggered by either mechanical and/or pharmacologic factors. Whatever the clinical circumstances, different triggers are identified in the occurrence of perioperative bronchospasm with asthma, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways frequently involved. The purpose of this clinical scenario is to discuss the key points of perioperative bronchospasm. Case Report