Laryngeal and Sublingual Hematoma Causing Upper Airway Obstruction Due to the Use of Warfarin

Abstract

Warfarin is commonly used for the treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolic diseases. Spontaneous bleeding and hematoma are complications that can occur in warfarin use. When patients will be initiated on warfarin therapy, a careful physical examination should be performed to eliminate the risk of bleeding and additional diseases and other medications used should be evaluated. The patient should be informed about the risks and followed up with regular International Normalized Ratio tests. Although rare, spontaneous laryngeal hematoma must be rapidly diagnosed and treated because it can cause airway obstruction and be life-threatening. In our case, a 61-year-old male patient developed spontaneous sublingual, epiglottic, and arytenoid hematoma due to warfarin use. The patient was monitored and initiated on conservative treatment. In the following days, the patient was discharged with recovery.