International Medical Case Reports Journal (Dec 2022)
Spontaneous Retropharyngeal Haematoma Causing Upper Airway Obstruction in a Child: Case Report
Abstract
Fiona Kabagenyi,1 Rym Hidour2 1Department of Ear Nose and Throat, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Department of Ear Nose and Throat, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Fiona Kabagenyi, Department of Ear Nose and Throat, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda, Tel +256774150102, Email [email protected]: Bleeding into the retropharyngeal region in children is an unusual cause of acute upper airway obstruction. Even in the absence of known risk factors or aetiology, this rare entity should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of retropharyngeal swellings in children. Prompt surgical intervention is required whenever rapid progression to airway obstruction is observed. In this case report, we present an 18-month-old girl previously managed as upper respiratory tract infection, who presented with progressive dysphagia, drooling and eventually airway obstruction with stridor and respiratory distress. Conservative prolonged airway protection by intubation or tracheostomy was averted by an emergency incision and drainage of the haematoma. There was complete resolution by the second week and no recurrence reported at follow-up 18 months later.Keywords: retropharynx, cervical, haematoma, oedema, paediatric
