Head & neck
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Retropharyngeal hematoma is a rare entity which may progress rapidly to airway obstruction. Previously documented causes have included coagulopathic states, trauma, infection, parathyroid adenoma rupture, and foreign-object ingestion. Four cases of spontaneous retropharyngeal hematomas without any known predisposing risk factors have been previously reported. Two of these cases had fatal outcomes. ⋯ The possible etiology for this case is discussed, and a review of the literature and the role of surgery in the management of this entity is outlined.