title: Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma: a rare and critical pathology needed for early diagnosis.
abstract: Retropharyngeal hematoma occurs rarely. It is located just in front of the cervical spine. Many circumstances can lead to its development. A trauma and/or anticoagulants are often key factors. The assessment must be made extremely carefully as such a hematoma can induce an airway compromise. Trauma being a key factor, it can also present with cervical spine fractures, increasing the risks. Two different cases of retropharyngeal hematomas are reported. The first case required surgical management with tracheotomy, per-oral drainage and naso-gastric tube feeding. A total recovery was obtained in 2 weeks. The second patient underwent medical treatment (methylprednisolone), and recovery was obtained in 6 days. Surgery for retropharyngeal hematoma is not always mandatory. It becomes necessary when a major dysphagia or dyspnea occurs. In other cases, medical treatment and close observation are usually sufficient.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie, de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale et de Phoniatrie, Hôpital Général, 3 rue du Faubourg Raines, BP1519 21033, Dijon Cedex, France. christian.duvillard@chu-dijon.fr
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duvillard
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ballester
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romanet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone