A Case of Traumatic Retropharyngeal Hematoma Requiring an Emergency Tracheostomy

Traumatic retropharyngeal hematomas are rare but potentially life-threatening conditions. I present herein on the case of a 75-year-old man with a traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma and upper airway obstruction. While driving a car, he fell into a river from a height of 1.5 m, and his face struck the steering wheel, causing bruising. He received anti-platelet therapy, but suddenly complained of severe dyspnea. Computed tomography of the neck showed a large retropharyngeal hematoma so an emergency tracheostomy was performed. Moreover, I treated him with antibiotics and high calorie infusion. The hematoma disappeared after 51 days with close observation. We should keep in mind that retropharyngeal hematomas can occur in elderly trauma patients who are receiving anti-platelet therapy.