Blunt laryngeal trauma secondary to sporting injuries

Laryngeal injury after blunt trauma is uncommon, but can cause catastrophic airway obstruction and significant morbidity in voice and airway function. This paper aims to discuss a case series of sports-related blunt laryngeal trauma patients and describe the results of a thorough literature review....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 2017-08, Vol.131 (8), p.728-735
Main Authors: Mendis, D, Anderson, J A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Airway management
Airway Obstruction - etiology
Airway Obstruction - surgery
Athletic Injuries - complications
Athletic Injuries - surgery
Dysphagia
Dysphonia - etiology
Dysphonia - surgery
Edema
Endoscopy
Female
Humans
Ice hockey
Injuries
Larynx - injuries
Larynx - surgery
Literature reviews
Main Articles
Male
Medical imaging
Middle Aged
Morbidity
Neck
Neck Injuries - etiology
Neck Injuries - surgery
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Ontario
Ostomy
Otolaryngology
Pain
Patients
Respiratory tract
Retrospective Studies
Soft tissues
Surgery
Trauma
Treatment Outcome
Wounds, Nonpenetrating - complications
Wounds, Nonpenetrating - surgery
Young Adult
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Summary:Laryngeal injury after blunt trauma is uncommon, but can cause catastrophic airway obstruction and significant morbidity in voice and airway function. This paper aims to discuss a case series of sports-related blunt laryngeal trauma patients and describe the results of a thorough literature review. Retrospective case-based analysis of laryngeal trauma referrals over six years to a tertiary laryngology centre. Twenty-eight patients were identified; 13 (46 per cent) sustained sports-related trauma. Most were young males, presenting with dysphonia, some with airway compromise (62 per cent). Nine patients were diagnosed with a laryngeal fracture. Four patients were managed conservatively and nine underwent surgery. Post-treatment, the majority of patients achieved good voice outcomes (83 per cent) and all had normal airway function. Sports-related neck trauma can cause significant injury to the laryngeal framework and endolaryngeal soft tissues, and most cases require surgical intervention. Clinical presentation may be subtle; a systematic approach along with a high index of suspicion is essential, as early diagnosis and treatment have been reported to improve airway and voice outcome.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215117001220