title: Hyoid bone elevation: a sign of tracheal transection.
abstract: Evaluation of traumatic neck injuries should include analysis of the position of the hyoid bone on the lateral radiograph. Location above the level of the third cervical body or a greater cornu located less than 2 cm from the angle of the mandible, or both, coupled with the finding of cervical soft-tissue air, should alert the radiologist that tracheal transection is likely and that immediate surgical exploration is required. Five cases of severe neck injury are presented.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019838:Neck Injuries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*