title: Cricotracheal separation: a case of delayed diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: A motorcyclist was involved in a motor vehicle accident and presented with respiratory distress and neck swelling with surgical emphysema. He sustained gross tracheal injury, severe pneumothoraces and lung contusions. As intubation was successful, the tracheal injury was not addressed immediately in view of the other severe respiratory problems. Evidence of aspiration lead to further investigations which confirmed the diagnosis 22 days post trauma. Thyrotracheal anastomosis was carried out without stenting. A complete cricotracheal separation is a rare event and can be easily overlooked in the emergency department.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur. nurhashima@gmail.com
authors: A R Nur
authors: AR
authors: Hashima
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Marina
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sani
mesh_terms: D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000293:injuries*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult