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Case Reports
. 2014 Summer;14(2):264-5.

Early recognition and management of laryngeal fracture: a case report

Nathan Schaefer  1 , Aaron Griffin  2 , Benjamin Gerhardy  3 , Peter Gochee  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Early recognition and management of laryngeal fracture: a case report

Nathan Schaefer et al. Ochsner J. 2014 Summer.

Abstract

Background: Laryngeal fracture is a rare condition that can lead to significant problems with airway patency, voice production, and swallowing. Conflict in the literature exists regarding the most suitable way to manage this injury.

Case report: We present the case of a 29-year-old Caucasian man who sustained a displaced fracture of the thyroid cartilage due to blunt trauma. He reported no swallowing, breathing, or voice problems after 1 year, and his recovery can be attributed to the early recognition and proper management of his condition.

Conclusion: This case illustrates the importance of ensuring a high level of suspicion for laryngeal fracture in the acute trauma patient. Early identification of this injury allows early intervention that not only protects the airway but also improves long-term voice and airway outcomes.

Keywords: Intubation; laryngeal cartilages; larynx; tracheostomy; wounds–nonpenetration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the subject matter of this article.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Displaced fracture of the left lamina of the thyroid cartilage shown on a computed tomography scan. The left lamina is displaced anteriorly 0.7 cm (upper arrow) with airway narrowing caused by fullness of the vocalis muscle secondary to decreased length from the anterior commissure of the larynx and arytenoid (lower arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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