title: Facial trauma: a case of potentially life-threatening distracting injuries.
abstract: We report the case of a 60-year-old cyclist with multiple facial lacerations. Reassessment of the mechanism of injury and presenting clinical features of a change in voice, odynophagia, and a graze in the anterior neck triggered concern. Fibreoptic nasoendoscopy showed a large haematoma of the supraglottic airway. Scans confirmed laryngeal injuries, which were managed conservatively as an inpatient without prophylactic tracheostomy. This report emphasises the importance of a high index of suspicion in patients with such facial injuries and other subtle signs, and highlights the need for careful clinical assessment.
authors: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom. bbisase@doctors.org.uk
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Bisase
authors: Jiten
authors: J
authors: Vadukul
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Lavery