Pre-cervical soft tissues: a cautionary note

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Trauma Imaging
• Medical Imaging Artifacts

Background:

• Pre-cervical soft tissue swelling on lateral radiographs is a critical sign for identifying potential cervical spine bony injuries in trauma patients.
• Accurate interpretation of this finding is crucial for timely and appropriate patient management.

Observation:

• A case is presented where apparent pre-cervical soft tissue swelling was observed on a lateral radiograph.
• This swelling was subsequently identified as an artifact rather than a genuine pathological finding.

Findings:

• The observed swelling was determined to be an artifact caused by the incorrect positioning of an endotracheal tube.
• This highlights a potential pitfall in the interpretation of cervical spine trauma imaging.

Implications:

• Clinicians should be aware that endotracheal tube malposition can mimic soft tissue swelling, potentially leading to misdiagnosis.
• Reviewing endotracheal tube placement is recommended when interpreting pre-cervical soft tissue swelling in cervical spine trauma evaluations.
• Ensuring correct endotracheal tube positioning is vital for accurate radiographic assessment in trauma care.