title: Elusive penetrating foreign body to the neck causing partial epiglottic airway obstruction.
abstract: We present a case of a penetrating foreign body to the neck, which was difficult to detect, causing partial epiglottic and laryngeal outlet airway obstruction, and subsequent intubation challenges. A systematic approach with rapid access to contrast enhanced CT scanning allowed successful airway and haemorrhage control, removal of a wooden stake from the patient's neck, initially undetected at primary and secondary assessments.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, UK. drjrao@talk21.com
authors.forename: Jeethendra
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Messahel
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grimes
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058109:Airway Management; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000473:pathology; D000075202:Contraindications; D003287:Contrast Media; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000293:injuries*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000098:blood supply; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014139:Tracheostomy; D014934:Wood; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media