Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma without spinal cord injury or spinal fracture: a retrospective multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: Retropharyngeal hematoma can be a life-threatening injury due to progressive upper airway obstruction. It is common following spinal cord injury or spinal fracture, and the clinical course and outcome of such patients are determined by their primary injuries. However, the natural clinical course of retropharyngeal hematoma itself remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma without spinal cord injury or spinal fracture (TREWISS). METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients who were diagnosed in the emergency department with soft tissue swelling of the retropharyngeal space by neck CT, between April 2010 and April 2020. The inclusion criterion was thickness of the retropharyngeal space > 7 mm at C1-C4 or > 22 mm at C5-C7 on a CT image. The exclusion criteria were (1) age < 18 years, (2) cardiopulmonary arrest, (3) other causes of soft tissue swelling besides hematoma, (4) patients with cervical spinal cord injury or spine fractures. Baseline characteristics were compared between intubated and non-intubated patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 16 patients needed intubation. Median patient age was 69 years, and 27% of the patients were on antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications. The width of the hematoma on sagittal CT images was significantly wider in the intubated group [median (interquartile range), 2.5 cm (2.0-3.4) vs. 1.2 cm (0.9-1.7), p = 0.002). More than half the intubated patients needed tracheotomy. Tracheotomy was performed around day 3, and endotracheal tube was placed about 3 weeks. Only 60% of patients were successfully discharged to their homes, and one patient (6.3%) died during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Early intubation and subsequent intensive care are important for patients with TREWISS. The patients typically require several weeks of hospitalization, although their outcomes are usually poor.

Successful Resuscitation of Cardiac Arrest After Refeeding Syndrome Associated with Hiatal Hernia: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is a life-threatening syndrome, which can cause sudden death. RFS has been reported frequently in young patients with anorexia without organic disease; however, there are few reports in elderly patients with organic disease. Herein, we report a case of cardiac arrest after refeeding syndrome associated with hiatal hernia. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 59-year-old woman who had a diagnosis of RFS during treatment for anorexia secondary to hiatal hernia. She was hospitalized with hypothermia, anemia, and hypovolemic shock and treated with electrolytes, hydration, and transfusion at the Emergency Department. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed hiatal hernia with severe reflux esophagitis. We initiated parenteral nutrition (8.7 kcal/kg/day). However, QTc prolongation caused pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Temporary cardiac pacing was performed to prevent recurrence. Her nutritional status steadily improved, and she was transferred to another hospital without complications. CONCLUSIONS Patients with gastrointestinal comorbidities are more likely to have inadequate food intake and to be undernourished on admission and therefore should be carefully started on nutritional therapy, considering their risk of RFS.