title: [Severe upper airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal haematoma formation following cervical trauma].
abstract: Mechanical airway obstruction secondary to retropharyngeal bleeding is rare. In most cases such a complication is described after head and neck trauma. Complicating factors include anticoagulant therapy, tumour, aneurysm, infection or major cervical spine injury. A precise initial diagnosis is necessary to avoid a life-threatening situation. Lateral X-ray and computed tomography is essential for safe management.Treatment depends upon size of the haematoma as well as the clinical course of the patient. Smaller haematomas may be observed. Lager haematomas and those that fail to reabsorb should undergo drainage.
authors.affiliation: Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsklinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum Langendreer, ,In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haarmann
authors.forename: Andi Setiawan
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Budihardja
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mücke
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schwaegerl
authors.forename: Klaus Dietrich
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014139:Tracheostomy; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy