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Case Reports
. 2021 Nov 24;13(11):e19867.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.19867. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Paediatric Longitudinal Tracheal Laceration From Blunt Force Trauma: A Case Report

Anna Loroch  1 , John F Curran  2 , David M Wynne  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Paediatric Longitudinal Tracheal Laceration From Blunt Force Trauma: A Case Report

Anna Loroch et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Tracheal lacerations in the paediatric population are not common; however, they can be life-threatening. Prompt diagnosis and management are essential for a good prognosis. Here, we present the case of a nine-year-old boy who presented to the hospital following a bicycle handlebar injury with neck pain and subcutaneous emphysema of the anterior thorax and neck. Chest X-ray revealed pneumomediastinum and a small pneumothorax. A computed tomography scan revealed a posterior longitudinal laceration of the trachea, measuring 1.5 cm, located superior to the carina at T1/2. As the patient was clinically stable, did not require any supplemental oxygen, and the tear was smaller than 2 cm, conservative management with steroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics was implemented. The patient was transferred to a tertiary ENT centre in Glasgow for observation in the paediatric intensive care unit where he recovered uneventfully. A repeat cross-sectional imaging six days after the injury revealed successful healing of the laceration. Non-surgical management of a tracheobronchial injury can be an effective approach. This can be considered in the case of tears measuring <2 cm and in clinically stable patients. Imaging-based diagnosis in the case of patients with minor injuries who are improving with conservative treatment may be sufficient, and confirmation with bronchoscopy would be of questionable clinical value in such patients.

Keywords: airway disruption; paediatric blunt trauma; paediatric trauma; tracheal laceration; tracheobronchial injury.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Chest X-ray (anteroposterior view) revealing marked subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum (angel wing sign, green arrows) with a small left-sided pneumothorax.
Figure 2
Figure 2. CT of the neck and thorax (axial plane) revealing a 1.5 cm tear of the trachea at the level of T1-2; a linear defect running craniocaudally was noted in the posterior wall of the trachea approximately 4 cm above the carina (green arrow).
CT: computed tomography
Figure 3
Figure 3. A follow-up CT of the neck and thorax (axial plane) revealing a healing tracheal laceration (green arrow).
CT: computed tomography
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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