Life‐threatening airway obstruction caused by a retropharyngeal haematoma

We present the case of a 68‐year‐old woman who had a large cervicomediastinal haematoma that caused life‐threatening airway obstruction. Retropharyngeal haematoma may occur in any age group and following a variety of causes. Retropharyngeal haematomas must be considered as a cause of airway obstruction following common injuries such as blunt cervical trauma or internal jugular vein cannulation. A high index of suspicion and early lateral neck X‐ray is essential for safe management of this rare but potentially life‐threatening injury.