Isolated comminuted fracture of the cricoid cartilage and narrowing of the airway after a traumatic blunt injury of the neck: a case report

Abstract

Background Blunt trauma to the anterior of the neck may compromise the vital structures like major blood vessels, trachea, larynx, pharynx, thyroid, spine, esophagus, and the cricoid. Laryngeal trauma is rare and accounts for 1% of all neck blunt traumas. Cricoid trauma is also very rare and accounts for half of the laryngeal traumas, and the diagnosis is frequently missed. Case presentation A 43-year-old man, with blunt neck trauma after being hardly hit by a crane lifting hook, was referred to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital. The patient complained of dysphonia (hoarseness) and dyspnea. The CT scans showed a comminuted fracture of the left anterior arch of the cricoid cartilage with left-sided mucosal thickening, inflammation, and edema which was extended to the glottis, causing a narrowing of the airway. Direct fiber-optic laryngoscopy revealed swelling and congestion in the epiglottis and swelling at the level of the left vocal cord. Conclusion This case report highlights the conservative treatment of isolated cricoid cartilage fracture in the setting of low-energy blunt trauma. The patient was clinically stable and treated conservatively with oxygen therapy and silence therapy (complete silence).

Isolated Cricoid Cartilage Fracture After Blunt Thoracocervical Trauma: A Case Report

“…They merit consideration in cases where patients present with unexplained dyspnea, irrespective of the persistence or intermittence of symptoms (4). Blunt trauma directed to the anterior neck has the potential to induce fractures in the cricoid cartilage, culminating in compromised integrity of vital structures and subsequent constriction of the airway (5).The cricoid cartilage is a significant anatomical landmark, pivotal in preserving airway patency and producing sound (6).A thorough comprehension of the developmental embryology, anatomy, and injury patterns related to cricoid cartilage fractures is crucial for precise diagnosis and proper management (7). In cricoid fractures, tracheotomy is the preferred method primarily to protect the airway.…”