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Tracheal and Laryngeal Injuries, Sports Medicine

Jeffrey P. Feden, MD, FACEP, CAQSM and Razib Khaund, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Injuries to the larynx and trachea may result from either blunt or penetrating trauma involving the head, neck, or upper chest.

  • Although they are relatively uncommon and sometimes sub...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Signs or symptoms may be absent initially in up to 1/3 of those with LT trauma. 

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Dysphonia (e.g., hoarseness) and neck/throat pain are most common 3[C].

  • Cough, hemoptysis, ...

TREATMENT

  • Prehospital:

    • Initial treatment focuses on the primary survey and airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) in accordance with Advanced Trauma Life Support guidelines.

    • Control the airway and im...

ONGOING CARE

  • Long-term treatment goals involve restoring the anatomy, airway patency, and vocal quality.

  • All athletes should be sent for phonic and speech therapy evaluations; speech therapy may be nec...

REFERENCES

1
Paluska SA, Lansford CD. Laryngeal trauma in sport. Curr Sports Med Rep.  2008;7(1):16–21.
2
Atkins BZ, Abbate S, Fisher SR, et al. Current management of laryngotracheal trauma: case re...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Becker M, Duboé PO, Platon A, et al. MDCT in the assessment of laryngeal trauma: value of 2D multiplanar and 3D reconstructions. AJR Am J Roentgenol.  2013;201(4):W639–W647.

  • Bho...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • LT trauma may be immediately life threatening.

  • Diagnosis often requires a high index of suspicion.

  • Prompt recognition and airway management are essential.

  • Complications and airway comprom...

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