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Case Reports
. 2021 Feb 20:32:100439.
doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2021.100439. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Unexpected blunt neck trauma resulting in laryngeal fracture, the case of the dangerous wooden box: A case report

Melissa Mortensen  1 , Nicholas Browne  2 , Robert Hutnik  2 , Sina Mehraban Far  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Unexpected blunt neck trauma resulting in laryngeal fracture, the case of the dangerous wooden box: A case report

Melissa Mortensen et al. Trauma Case Rep. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Laryngeal fracture is a rare condition but is potentially lethal. These injuries are usually caused by major blunt trauma from motor vehicle accidents, physical assaults, or sports injuries. The high mortality associated with these injuries requires prompt recognition and treatment.

Case report: We present a case of laryngeal fracture caused by falling from standing height and landing onto the edge of a wooden box- a seemingly minor blunt trauma. The patient fractured her thyroid lamina and had a comminuted fracture of the cricoid cartilage. The patient was able to be decannulated and required injection augmentation for return of normal voice.

Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion for laryngeal fracture in a patient that falls and strikes the anterior neck. Early identification of laryngeal fractures not only allows for airway protection but helps ensure the preservation of voice, swallowing and airway functions.

Keywords: Blunt laryngeal trauma; Laryngeal fracture.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Wooden garden box that the patient fell onto. Patient hit her neck on the edge of the wooden handle.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A. Axial Computed Tomography (CT) of the neck. Image demonstrates a displaced midline thyroid cartilage fracture. The airway is edematous and an endotracheal tube (ET) is in place. B. Axial Computed Tomography (CT) of the neck. Image shows discontinuity involving the left central aspect of the cricoid cartilage indicating a comminuted cricoid cartilage fracture (Schaefer Fuhrman's Group IV).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A. Intra-operative picture showing a thyroid lamina fracture B. Intra-operative picture showing a 2-hole low profile plate which was bent to accommodate the shape of the thyroid lamina and fixated with 2 low-profile screws used to reduce the thyroid cartilage fracture.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Endoscopic Picture of Modified T-Tube as laryngeal stent for the cricoid.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
A. Intra-operative picture 6 weeks after stent removal at the level of glottis before decannulation B. At the level of subglottis before decannulation C. One year post-injury flexible laryngoscopy in clinic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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