The radiology of upper airway obstruction in maxillofacial trauma

One of the prime considerations in the management of maxillofacial trauma is the diagnosis and prevention of acute upper airway obstruction. Each division of the upper aerodigestive tract may cause respiratory obstruction. In the oral cavity, a "flail" mandible, an "Andy Gump" deformity, and a sublingual hematoma may occur. In the nasopharnynx, an impacted midface, a split palate, and a nasopharyngeal hematoma may result. In the oropharynx and hypopharynx, an expanding hematoma in the retropharyngeal or lateral pharyngeal spaces may be seen. Although airway obstruction in maxillofacial trauma is a clinical diagnosis, the judicious use of radiographs helps to identify patients at risk. In this study, we review the anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract and the potential sites of airway obstruction. A review of the radiology of airway obstruction in maxillofacial trauma will also be presented.