ABSTRACT
Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma is a potentially life-threatening complication of cervical spine injury due to possible airway obstruction. Treatment by securing airway and subsequent conservative care is often adequate. However, a rapidly expanding large hematoma requires surgical evacuation. We present a case of 55-year-old man with a retropharyngeal hematoma secondary to cervical vascular injury without associated cervical fracture. The patient was successfully treated with endovascular arterial embolization and subsequent percutaneous drainage under fluoroscopic guidance without any sequelae.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Injuries of upper cervical spine are potentially fatal. Thus, appropriate diagnosis and treatment is essential. In our institute, preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been performed for evaluation of injuries of bony and vascular structure. The authors confirmed the engorged venous plexus within injured posterior neck muscle. We have this research to clarify the relationship between the engorged venous plexus and engorged vein. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 23 adult patients who underwent 23 posterior cervical spine surgeries for treatment of upper cervical injury between 2013 and 2015. Preoperative CTA was used to identify of venous engorgement within posterior neck muscle. The male to female ratio was 18:5 and the mean age was 53.5 years (range, 25-78 years). Presence of venous engorgement and estimated blood loss (EBL) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The EBL of group with venous engorgement was 454.55 mL. The EBL of group without venous engorgement was 291.67 mL. The EBL of group with venous engorgement was larger than control group in significant. CONCLUSION: The presence of engorged venous plexus is important factor of intraoperative bleeding. Preoperative CTA for identifying of presence of engorged venous plexus and fine operative techniques is important to decrease of blood loss during posterior cervical spine surgery.