title: Tracheo-oesophageal compression due to massive spontaneous retropharyngeal haematoma.
abstract: Spontaneous retropharyngeal haematoma and dissecting intramural haematoma of the oesophagus are two distinct, but rare, phenomena. We describe the first case of complete tracheo-oesophageal obstruction due to spontaneous retropharyngeal haematoma presenting with chest pain and dysphagia. Rapid imaging allowed life-saving transfer to the regional specialist centre, with immediate surgical intervention. The importance, aetiology and clinical features of both diagnoses are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Oesophagogastric Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK. johnfindlay@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Findlay
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belcher
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sgromo
mesh_terms: D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Bleeding; Bleeding control; Imaging; Oesophagus; Tracheal stenosis