RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Penetrating injury to the soft palate causing retropharyngeal air collection JF Emergency Medicine Journal JO Emerg Med J FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine SP 148 OP 149 DO 10.1136/emj.2003.006205 VO 22 IS 2 A1 K Wu A1 A Ahmed YR 2005 UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/22/2/148.abstract AB Pharyngeal injuries caused by trauma are common and have been reported previously in the medical literature. In some cases of a penetrating injury there is a collection of air in the retropharyngeal space that can be shown on lateral soft tissue radiography of the neck. If this condition is not diagnosed or adequately treated the patient may develop severe complications such as mediastinitis. A case is reported of a patient with penetrating injury caused by a curtain rail and the subsequent treatment is described.