Spontaneous retropharyngeal hematoma: diagnosis by mr imaging.
Spontaneous retropharyngeal hematoma is an uncommon entity that is difficult to diagnose and may progress rapidly to airway obstruction. We report a case of a 53-year-old man with acute onset of retropharyngeal pain, dysphonia, and dysphagia after vomiting. On CT, a nonspecific retropharyngeal collection was seen. MR imaging demonstrated blood products, suggesting a diagnosis of retropharyngeal hematoma, and the patient was managed conservatively. MR imaging allowed specific diagnosis of a rare condition that is otherwise difficult to diagnose without surgical intervention.
Muñoz
A
A
Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario, Madrid, Spain.
Fischbein
N J
NJ
de Vergas
J
J
Crespo
J
J
Alvarez-Vincent
J
J
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed