A significant cervical spine fracture: think of the airway.
BACKGROUND
Airway compromise is a potential complication of significant cervical spine injury.


OBJECTIVE
To alert emergency physicians to be aware of possible airway collapse after serious cervical spine injury.


METHODS
We report a case of an 87-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with an unstable cervical spine fracture after a fall. He subsequently developed complete upper airway obstruction from prevertebral soft tissue swelling, requiring a cricothyrotomy after a failed intubation attempt.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with significant blunt cervical spine trauma can be at high risk for upper airway compromise.
Cleiman
Paula
P
Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Nemeth
Joe
J
Vetere
Phyllis
P
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications