ABSTRACT

Hematomas secondary to anticoagulant therapy, inducing upper airway obstruction, are mostly located in the retropharyngeal, sublingual, submandibular and, rarely, laryngeal space. Most are managed conservatively but sometimes endotracheal intubation and emergency tracheotomy are necessary. We report a case of asphyxia due to a pharyngeal hematoma secondary to warfarin use, admitted to the emergency service with cardiopulmonary arrest. A 48 year-old woman presented at the emergency service with sore throat and difficulty in swallowing in the morning. After evaluation of the oropharynx, she was referred to the ear-nose throat clinic. However, on the same day, she presented at the emergency service with cardiopulmonary arrest. Direct laryngoscopy revealed a posterior pharyngeal mass or hematoma. Repeated intubation attempts failed. Despite the application of a laryngeal mask, she could not be ventilated and an emergency tracheostomy was performed. In her medical history, it was learned that she was taking warfarin for mitral stenosis. INR values were unmeasurably high. Fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K treatment were started. A computed tomography scan of the neck and cranium revealed extensive cerebral edema and a lesion in the pharynx, not distinguishable between bleeding and tumor and almost completely obstructing the airway. On the second day, her renal function deteriorated and she developed hypernatremia. The patient died due to multiorgan failure on the 5th day. In patients using anticoagulants and presenting with symptoms like sore throat, odynophagia, dysphagia and hoarseness, pharyngeal hematoma should be excluded. Early diagnosis increases the success of conservative treatment and can be life-saving by preventing prolonged airway attempts.

Keywords: Warfarin, airway obstruction, cardiopulmonary arrest