title: Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma: case report.
abstract: Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that requires an early diagnosis. Isolated retropharyngeal hematoma without an associated cervical fracture is a relatively rare condition. The treatment of retropharyngeal hematoma is conservative in most cases, with close observation. The indications for surgical evacuation of hematomas are large size, difficult with mechanical ventilation and failure to improve with medical therapy. We present the case of a 50-year-old man with retropharyngeal hematoma with a compromised airway due to minor contusion of the neck, which required surgical intervention. The patient underwent emergent surgical debridement and tracheostomy. Postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged 9 days later. Early surgical intervention can reduce the hospital stay, resulting in a rapid convalescence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Cheng-Kung Road 2nd Section, Taipei 114, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Jiun-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chih-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tsai-Wang
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004630:Emergencies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014139:Tracheostomy; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*