[Blunt external laryngeal trauma. Two case reports].
BACKGROUND
External laryngeal trauma, blunt or penetrating, is rare but potentially life-threatening. Most frequently it occurs in motor vehicle accidents. The most common symptoms of external laryngeal injuries are: dysphagia, odynophagia, dysphonia, odynophonia, reduction of the laryngeal prominence, hemoptysis and neck crepitation.
This paper reviews two cases of blunt laryngeal injury caused by a direct blow to the neck. After admission, both patients underwent clinical examination, as well as radiography of the neck, and computer tomography of the neck and larynx. GIRBAS scale was used for voice analysis. In the first case, computer tomography showed a fracture of the right thyroid cartilage in the posterior lamina where it is attached to the upper horn. In the other case, the presence of air was confirmed by radiography of the upper aperture. Computerized tomography showed the presence of air in the neck, underneath the skin, which was probably the consequence of the larygeal valve mechanism trauma. Both patients were treated conservatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The symptomatology of external larygeal trauma may include: hoarseness, swallowing difficulties and/or painful swallowing, painful phonation, neck pain, bloody sputum and breathing difficulties. The clinical symptoms of blunt laryngeal trauma may be hidden and non-specific, but also clear, indicating a larynx trauma, and vice versa. Quick diagnosis using computerized tomography, hospitalization and adequate therapy, can reduce the consequences of these injuries and increase the chances for a complete recovery of larygeal musculature and function.
Mitrović
Slobodan M
SM
Klinika za bolesti uva, grla i nosa, 21000 Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 1-3. mitroslo@EUnet.yu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging