Laryngeal Injury

Severity of trauma of the larynx depends on the type of injury and the total amount of energy involved. We cen distinguish two types of this condition: penetrating and closed. Presence of mucosal edema, bruise or haematoma, abrasion or laceration, asymmetry or narrowing of laryngeal lumen and visible fragments of fractures in a calcified larynx are assessed during examination. If the obstruction of the airways is significant (with stridor) we should perform tracheostomy. Imaging findings will determine the necessity of exploration and fixing of laryngeal fractures. In this video you will be able to see bruises involving the mucosa of hypopharynx and larynx. It is a case of patient who sustained close blunt trauma to the larynx. Mobility of true vocal folds was unchanged. On the left side we can find obvious subglottic narrowing. The symptoms included dysphagia with pooling of saliva (visible in the hypopharynx). The temporary nasogastric tube for feeding was required to be put on. Displaced fractures of thyroid cartilage with subcutaneus emphysema were visualized by use of imaging techniques.