title: Laryngeal Fracture Caused by a Lacrosse Ball.
abstract: Neck injuries in lacrosse are rare and mostly involve the musculoskeletal system. The lacrosse ball is a solid rubber ball of approximately 20 cm in diameter and the fastest shot recorded in professional lacrosse is over 100 mph. Despite wearing full protection, the neck remains prone to blunt trauma by this ball. A 23-year man sustained a direct blow to his left neck by a lacrosse ball during play, resulting in immediate aphonia and stridor. CT scan confirmed a left thyroid lamina fracture. The patient was treated conservatively and his airway was monitored for 24 hours. He made a full recovery. It is important that lacrosse players should be aware of this potential injury and appropriate precautions should be taken to avoid this trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Forresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trinidade
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Forresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shakeel
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Forresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stickle
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Forresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK.
authors.forename: Kim W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Ah-See
mesh_terms: D001044:Aphonia; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015865:Racquet Sports / Q000293:injuries*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D016103:Spinal Fractures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult