Potentially fatal asphyxia following a minor injury of the cervical spine.
The case is reported of an elderly man with asymptomatic cervical spondylosis who sustained a minor hyperextension injury of the cervical spine when the brakes of a car were applied suddenly to avoid a collision. Within six hours marked swelling of the neck and severe dyspnoea developed, and a lateral radiograph showed the pharyngeal shadow displaced far forwards and a crack fracture of an anterior osteophyte. Tracheostomy and evacuation of a massive prevertebral haematoma were performed, with immediate relief. The case draws attention to the possibility of this serious complication of a "whiplash" type of injury.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000150:complications; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications