Posterior mediastinal hematoma after a simple fall in a patient with normal coagulation

Abstract

Case: A 77-year-old woman presented with neck swelling and odynophagia following a fall from standing height. She had no history of antiplatelet or anticoagulant use. Computed tomography of the chest showed an isodense to hypodense soft tissue mass in the bilateral carotid space, retropharyngeal space, and posterior mediastinum. With no airway obstruction symptoms, the patient was placed on bed rest under close observation. Outcome: The mass decreased in size spontaneously over the 10 days following symptom onset, accompanied by overall clinical improvement. The patient was diagnosed with a posterior mediastinal hematoma. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of posterior mediastinal hematoma caused by a neck hyperextension injury secondary to a simple fall in a patient with normal coagulation. The outcome was good; however, emergency physicians should be aware that hematomas necessitating airway management may occur after a fall.