Ranjan Pathak1, Suzanne Supplee2, Madan Raj Aryal2, Paras Karmacharya2. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA. Electronic address: ranjanrp@gmail.com. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sublingual hematoma is a rare but life-threatening complication of oral anticoagulants. It is important to differentiate this from infectious processes like Ludwig's angina. Securing the airway should be a priority and immediate reversal of anticoagulation with close monitoring is required. CASE REPORT: We present a case of sublingual hematoma secondary to warfarin therapy without airway compromise which was managed conservatively with reversal of INR with oral vitamin K. CONCLUSION: Although rare, it is crucial to differentiate sublingual hematomas from infectious processes. Reversal of anticoagulation with low threshold for artificial airway placement in the event of airway compromise is the treatment of choice.
BACKGROUND:Sublingual hematoma is a rare but life-threatening complication of oral anticoagulants. It is important to differentiate this from infectious processes like Ludwig's angina. Securing the airway should be a priority and immediate reversal of anticoagulation with close monitoring is required. CASE REPORT: We present a case of sublingual hematoma secondary to warfarin therapy without airway compromise which was managed conservatively with reversal of INR with oral vitamin K. CONCLUSION: Although rare, it is crucial to differentiate sublingual hematomas from infectious processes. Reversal of anticoagulation with low threshold for artificial airway placement in the event of airway compromise is the treatment of choice.
Authors: Paras Karmacharya; Ranjan Pathak; Sailu Ghimire; Pragya Shrestha; Sushil Ghimire; Dilli Ram Poudel; Raju Khanal; Shirin Shah; Madan Raj Aryal; Richard L Alweis Journal: N Am J Med Sci Date: 2015-11