A significant cervical spine fracture: think of the airway

Paula Cleiman; Joe Nemeth; Phyllis Vetere

doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2008.07.027

A significant cervical spine fracture: think of the airway

J Emerg Med. 2012 Feb;42(2):e23-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2008.07.027. Epub 2009 Jan 6.

Authors

Paula Cleiman¹, Joe Nemeth, Phyllis Vetere

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

PMID: 19128920
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2008.07.027

Abstract

Background: Airway compromise is a potential complication of significant cervical spine injury.

Objectives: To alert emergency physicians to be aware of possible airway collapse after serious cervical spine injury.

Case report: We report a case of an 87-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with an unstable cervical spine fracture after a fall. He subsequently developed complete upper airway obstruction from prevertebral soft tissue swelling, requiring a cricothyrotomy after a failed intubation attempt.

Conclusion: Patients with significant blunt cervical spine trauma can be at high risk for upper airway compromise.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged, 80 and over
Airway Obstruction / etiology*
Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
Cervical Vertebrae / injuries*
Humans
Male
Radiography
Spinal Fractures / complications*
Spinal Fractures / diagnostic imaging
Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications