Open AccessA Lady with Alarming Neck Swelling after Minor Head Injury
Author(s) -
Chan KF,
Wong WB,
Ho MK,
Chung CH
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490790701400108
Subject(s) - medicine , ankylosing spondylitis , emergency department , head and neck , surgery , cervical spine , computed tomography , cervical spine injury , physical examination , radiology , psychiatry
A 52‐year‐old woman with hidden ankylosing spondylitis for years attended the emergency department after a minor head injury. Rapid and alarming neck swelling appeared shortly after the initial consultation. Although the physical examination and the lateral cervical spine X‐ray did not suggest fracture, a later CT scan revealed a fracture line. A high index of suspicion and early use of the halo device are needed in order to prevent irreversible neurological damage in such patients.