A Significant Cervical Spine Fracture: Think of the Airway

Abstract

BackgroundAirway compromise is a potential complication of significant cervical spine injury. ObjectivesTo alert emergency physicians to be aware of possible airway collapse after serious cervical spine injury. Case ReportWe 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. ConclusionPatients with significant blunt cervical spine trauma can be at high risk for upper airway compromise.