Cervical hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of the superior thyroid artery: Case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Beneath the different reasons for cervical masses, a spontaneous hemorrhage presents a rare and life-threatening condition.


RESULTS
We present the rare case of a 62-year-old man who was presented with a dramatically enlarging cervical mass causing respiratory distress because of upper airway compression. An endotracheal intubation was lifesaving and avoided tracheotomy. A CT scan revealed a hematoma in the region of the left external carotid artery. An emergency angiography embolized a ruptured branch of the superior thyroid artery and surgery evacuated the hematoma. We discuss the rarity of the condition, reasons for a spontaneous rupture of the artery, and the diagnostic and treatment strategy. In addition, we review the literature on spontaneous thyroid artery hemorrhages, which, up to now, have been described only for the inferior thyroid artery.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the optimal management for cases of cervical hematoma is intubation, diagnosis, and angiography before surgery.
Stenner
Markus
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. markus.stenner@uk-koeln.de
Helmstaedter
Victor
V
Spuentrup
Elmar
E
Quante
Gero
G
Huettenbrink
Karl-Bernd
KB
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002342:Carotid Artery, External; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003287:Contrast Media; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000098:blood supply*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media