MORESTIN SYNDROME: BEYOND THORACIC TRAUMA

Abstract

Morestin syndrome (MS) is a rare clinical manifestation consequent to an acute compression trauma to the thorax. In such an event, the sudden elevated pressure that happens to the airway and the rapid and retrograde blood flow results in capillary rupture in the head and neck vessel territory. This case reports a car accident victim that was dragged by a truck down a road with closed thoracic trauma resulting in MS. The patient presented with ecchymotic mask, neck and facial cyanosis and petechiae, ocular hemorrhage, otorrhagia, left clavicle fracture and spleen laceration that resolved with conservative measures. In this article, the authors present a specific acute syndrome due to trauma, with potential severe complications that should be recognized early and subject to a multidisciplinary and systemic approach in the emergency setting.