title: Retropharyngeal hematomas.
abstract: Hyperextension of the cervical spine in the elderly can cause retropharyngeal hematomas. We report this unusual cause of retropharyngeal hematoma in a 77-year-old women. The airway must be thoroughly evaluated in any such patient in whom this lesion is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Vallejo, California.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hemmick
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Bodai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D010614:Pharynx; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed