Blunt Traumatic Retropharyngeal Hematoma with Respiratory Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Reported Cases

In patients with blunt trauma, particularly geriatric patients and those with minor trauma, an insidious retropharyngeal hematoma (RH) may deteriorate and have lethal consequences. We review the relevant literature to elucidate the clinical characteristics, treatment, complications, and outcomes of blunt traumatic RH with respiratory symptoms. Data Resources. We reviewed 57 case reports and added one case from our hospital for data analysis. A total of 68 cases were included in this review.

The ages of patients ranged from 13 to 94 years, and geriatric patients (age >66 years) constituted 61.2% of the reviewed patients. Falls (54.4%) and traffic accidents (35.3%) were the major trauma mechanisms. Most patients' symptoms developed within 24 hours of blunt trauma (95.2%), and 73.5% of patients with RH had at least one associated injury. Many patients underwent conservative treatment for RH (63.2%). Surgical treatment (23.5%) and transarterial embolization (8.8%) were used to control retropharyngeal hemorrhage. Twelve patients died; RH and cervical spinal injury were the direct causes of death in 5 patients, whereas the other 7 patients died because of cardiac, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal causes or withdrawal of life support.

Geriatric patients constituted the largest proportion of patients with RH, and minor trauma was adequate to result in RH in elderly people. The cornerstone of RH management is airway management. Surgery and transarterial embolization are commonly used to control active bleeding in patients with RH. The long-term outcome depends on patients' associated injuries and in-hospital complications.