Life-threatening airway obstruction caused by a retropharyngeal haematoma.
We present the case of a 68-year-old woman who had a large cervicomediastinal haematoma that caused life-threatening airway obstruction. Retropharyngeal haematoma may occur in any age group and following a variety of causes. Retropharyngeal haematomas must be considered as a cause of airway obstruction following common injuries such as blunt cervical trauma or internal jugular vein cannulation. A high index of suspicion and early lateral neck X-ray is essential for safe management of this rare but potentially life-threatening injury.
John Farman Intensive Care Unit, Department of Radiology, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
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Senthuran
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Lim
K E
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Gunning
D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy