Unilateral degloving injuries of the arytenoid cartilage

Abstract

Arytenoid cartilage dislocations and avulsions are often seen as a part of severe laryngeal injuries due to blunt trauma. An uncommon type of injury is the unilateral degloving of an arytenoid cartilage following laterally directed trauma to the thyroid cartilage. It may occur without additional cartilaginous or mucosal damage. The arytenoid cartilage is squeezed between the thyroid ala and the cervical spine and stripped of its mucosal covering. It may retain mobility and be exposed only on adduction, or it may lose mobility due to dislocation and be tipped into the laryngeal lumen. Prognosis for vocal cord mobility and voice production is good for the degloving injury alone, but poor if the arytenoid cartilage is also dislocated. Cases are discussed to illustrate the mechanism, treatment, and outcome of such injuries.