Elusive penetrating foreign body to the neck causing partial epiglottic airway obstruction

Abstract

We present a case of a penetrating foreign body to the neck, which was difficult to detect, causing partial epiglottic and laryngeal outlet airway obstruction, and subsequent intubation challenges. A systematic approach with rapid access to contrast enhanced CT scanning allowed successful airway and haemorrhage control, removal of a wooden stake from the patient's neck, initially undetected at primary and secondary assessments.