title: Dystonia presenting as upper airway obstruction.
abstract: Dystonic extrapyramidal reactions due to neuroleptic medications are a common entity in emergency medicine. However, it is not widely reported that dystonia can be associated with airway compromise and death. We describe a case of upper airway obstruction due to a dystonic reaction to haloperidol, present radiographic evidence of airway compromise, and explain the physiologic mechanisms involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barach
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dubin
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tomlanovich
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kottamasu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004421:Dystonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D006220:Haloperidol