Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma and prevertebral edema induced by whiplash injury.
Whiplash injury commonly results in cervical spine trauma. We report a case of a 58-year-old man, who sustained a whiplash injury from contact with the headrest of his seat after his car was involved in a rear-end collision. He presented with sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing and progressing dyspnea. The diagnostic work-up comprising lateral radiograph, CT and MR imaging disclosed the rare constellation of a retropharyngeal hematoma and prevertebral edema without further injury of the cervical spine structures. Compression of the upper airways was evident. A careful history and an appropriate diagnostic approach are essential for the work-up and management of such a life-threatening situation.
Anagnostara
Athina
A
Department of Radiology, Asklipiion Hospital, V. Pavlou 1, 16673 Voula-Athens, Greece. a_anagnostara@hotmail.com
Athanassopoulou
Alexandra
A
Kailidou
Efstathia
E
Markatos
Anastasios
A
Eystathidis
Alexandros
A
Papageorgiou
Stratos
S
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications*