Retropharyngeal haematoma leading to airway obstruction in a child with closed head trauma.

Retropharyngeal haematoma is a rare complication of head trauma that has been chiefly reported in adults, particularly in the elderly. A case is presented of retropharyngeal haematoma in a 13-year-old child following closed head trauma. Acute upper airway obstruction resulted, requiring tracheal intubation. Surgical drainage of the haematoma was not required and the trachea was successfully extubated on the third day. The case presented serves to remind practitioners that this complication of closed head injury may occur in children and strategies for airway management are discussed.