Isolated cricoid fracture associated with blunt neck trauma.
A 32-year-old woman without a remarkable history presented at the emergency department with strangulation of the neck. CT scans of the neck revealed a displaced cricoid fracture. Six days after admission to hospital, hoarseness and dyspnoea disappeared. On the 10th day, the patient was discharged without complications. The traditional treatment guidelines for laryngeal trauma have recommended an early surgical intervention after immediate tracheotomy in cases of displaced fractures of the cricoid cartilage. The patient could be treated successfully through continuous monitoring of airway obstruction without surgical management.
Oh
Je Hyeok
JH
Emergency Department, Chung-Ang University Hospital, 224-1 Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-755, Korea.
Min
Hyun Seok
HS
Park
Tae Ung
TU
Lee
Sang Jin
SJ
Kim
Sung Eun
SE
D000328:Adult; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000293:injuries*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology