Occult lacerations to the epiglottis and pharynx by glass fragments.
Injury to the epiglottis and pharynx is very rare in neck trauma overall. We experienced such a rare case in which a 43-year-old woman had lacerations to the epiglottis and pharynx. It was difficult to determine the exact site of the damage by observing the cut. We believed there was no damage to the lower respiratory tract because her vital signs were stable and her consciousness was clear. However, initial computed tomography revealed emphysema and showed that fragments from a glass vase had pierced the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Warabi
Ryoko
R
Caress Alliance Nikko Memorial Hospital, Critical Care and Trauma Center, Muroran 051-8501, Japan.
Tanno
Katsutoshi
K
Hirayama
Suguru
S
Warabi
Takehiro
T
Sakakibara
Noriyuki
N
Kimura
Yoshinobu
Y
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000293:injuries*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications*