Lingual artery hematoma resulting in upper airway obstruction.
A case of upper airway obstruction from a lingual artery hematoma after suturing of a puncture wound to the tongue is reported. The anatomy of the tongue and upper airway is reviewed to better understand the mechanism of obstruction. The emergency physician should be aware of this rare and potentially lethal complication to what might initially seem to be a trivial injury.
Kattan
B
B
Albany Medical Center Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, New York 12208.
Snyder
H S
HS
D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries*