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Blunt laryngeal trauma secondary to sporting injuries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 June 2017

D Mendis  and
J A Anderson
D Mendis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Canada
J A Anderson*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Canada
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Jennifer Anderson, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, St Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada Fax: +1 416 864 5367 E-mail: andersonj@smh.ca
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Abstract

Background:

Laryngeal injury after blunt trauma is uncommon, but can cause catastrophic airway obstruction and significant morbidity in voice and airway function. This paper aims to discuss a case series of sports-related blunt laryngeal trauma patients and describe the results of a thorough literature review.

Method:

Retrospective case-based analysis of laryngeal trauma referrals over six years to a tertiary laryngology centre.

Results:

Twenty-eight patients were identified; 13 (46 per cent) sustained sports-related trauma. Most were young males, presenting with dysphonia, some with airway compromise (62 per cent). Nine patients were diagnosed with a laryngeal fracture. Four patients were managed conservatively and nine underwent surgery. Post-treatment, the majority of patients achieved good voice outcomes (83 per cent) and all had normal airway function.

Conclusion:

Sports-related neck trauma can cause significant injury to the laryngeal framework and endolaryngeal soft tissues, and most cases require surgical intervention. Clinical presentation may be subtle; a systematic approach along with a high index of suspicion is essential, as early diagnosis and treatment have been reported to improve airway and voice outcome.

Keywords

Sporting InjuriesLarynxTraumaNeck InjuriesIce Hockey
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 131 , Issue 8 , August 2017 , pp. 728 - 735
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2017 

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