Post-traumatic upper airway obstruction secondary to a lingual artery hematoma.
An accident victim presented with maxillofacial trauma complicating a head injury. After the airway was secured by tracheostomy, surgical exploration revealed a lingual artery hematoma. This case illustrates the progressive airway occlusion seen with this disorder and the importance of repeated oral examinations.
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000293:injuries; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000150:complications; D014140:Tracheotomy