Retropharyngeal hematomas are relatively rare. But, they are clinically important because of the close proximity of the retropharyngeal space to the upper airway. The authors experienced four cases of the retropharyngeal hematoma following cervical trauma, esophageal foreign body, stellate ganglion block, and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of individual condition. KEY WORDS：Airway obstruction·Retropharyngeal space·Hematoma.