Retropharyngeal hematoma as a new cause of acute upper airway obstruction in rheumatoid arthritis.
A patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving chronic anticoagulation therapy developed acute life threatening airway obstruction. The source of obstruction was a retropharyngeal hematoma compressing the upper airway rather than acute laryngeal dysfunction from the patient's RA. Our case illustrates a new cause of acute stridor and airway obstruction in RA. Publications on upper airway obstruction in RA and airway obstruction secondary to retropharyngeal hematoma are discussed.
Thatcher
J
J
Department of Medicine, Reading Hospital and Medical Center, PA.
George
D
D
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx; D011312:Pressure; D013467:Sulindac / Q000009:adverse effects; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects
D013467:Sulindac; D014859:Warfarin