Pathologic cervical burst fracture presenting with airway compromise.
Mechanical airway compromise following cervical spine injury or fracture is a rare but known entity. It most commonly is the result of the development of a retropharyngeal hematoma or prevertebral soft tissue edema that obstructs the airway, leading to respiratory distress and emergent need for airway management and possible surgical intervention. We present a novel case of airway compromise following a C3 burst fracture without associated retropharyngeal hematoma or prevertebral soft tissue edema. Surgical management is discussed, and a review of relevant literature is provided. Pathological cervical spine fracture must be included in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with acute airway obstruction of unknown etiology.
Wind
Joshua J
JJ
Department of Neurosurgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20037, USA. jwind@gwu.edu
Ammerman
Joshua M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed