Penetrating neck trauma: radiological predictors of vascular injury

Changes in occurrence and management of laryngeal fractures at the Helsinki University Hospital during 25 years

PURPOSE

Laryngeal fracture is a rare but potentially life-threatening trauma. Fractures vary from mild to dislocated and extensive with risk of severe complications. This study investigated the occurrence, clinical characteristics and management of laryngeal fractures in the last 15 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective population-based cohort study reviewing all laryngeal fractures at the Helsinki University Hospital in 2005-2019. Patient records and imaging studies were systematically reviewed for mode of injury, fracture type, secondary complications, treatment modality, possible airway management, length of stay, and mortality. Results were compared with corresponding data from 1995 to 2004.

RESULTS

Overall 80 fracture patients were recorded (5.3/year); 79% were men and mean age was 42 years (range 18-78). Altogether 91% were closed and 9% open. While unintentional traumas were most common (54%), an increasing proportion were from intentional injury (10%) or Schaefer Gr IV in severity (35%). Altogether 46% had compromised airway and 21% needed airway intervention; airway narrowing was more common with cricoid (p = 0.042) and multiple fractures (p = 0.07) and correlated positively with amount of dislocation (p = 0.001) and number of fracture lines (p = 0.006). Surgery was performed for 33%, of which 46% were Schaefer Gr IV and 62% from intentional trauma. Mortality was 1.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Deliberate and violence-related laryngeal fractures have increased. These often result in more extensive injuries predisposing to compromised airway and requiring surgical intervention and longer treatment. Most fractures are still treated conservatively with good long-term outcomes. An observation period of 24 h is recommended to detect any delayed complications. Mortality remains low.

Penetrating Head and Neck Trauma: A Narrative Review of Evidence-Based Evaluation and Treatment Protocols

Penetrating injury to the head and neck accounts for a minority of trauma but significant morbidity in the US civilian population. The 3-zone anatomical framework has historically guided evaluation and management; however, the most current evidence-based protocols favor a no-zone, systems-based approach. In stable patients, a thorough physical examination and noninvasive imaging should be prioritized, with surgical exploration of the head and neck reserved for certain circumstances. Diagnostic and management decisions should be tailored to the mechanism of injury, history, physical examination, experience of personnel, availability of equipment, and clinical judgment.

Vascular Injuries in Head and Neck Trauma

Blunt and penetrating vascular injuries of the head and neck can represent life-threatening emergencies that require accurate detection to prevent devastating and long-lasting consequences. Implementing appropriate screening criteria to indicate imaging studies is crucial as there is a variable latent time before the onset of clinical manifestations. Computed tomography angiography, MR imaging, and digital subtraction angiography represent the imaging modalities of choice to evaluate vascular injuries. The aim of this review is to provide a description of the different types of vascular injuries, describe the importance of each imaging modality, and recognize the imaging appearance of traumatic vessel injury.

External penetrating laryngeal trauma caused by a metal fragment: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Although external penetrating laryngeal trauma is rare in the clinic, such cases often result in a high mortality rate. The early recognition of injury, protection of the airway, one-stage laryngeal reconstruction with miniplates and interdisciplinary cooperation are important in the treatment of such patients.

CASE SUMMARY

A 58-year-old male worker sustained a penetrating injury in the left neck. After computed tomography scanning at a local hospital, he was transferred to our hospital, where he underwent tracheotomy, neck exploration, extraction of the foreign object, debridement and repair of the thyroid cartilage using titanium miniplates. An endo laryngeal stent was inserted, which was removed 12 days later. The patient recovered well and his voice rapidly improved after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Penetrating laryngeal trauma is uncommon. We successfully treated a patient with early laryngeal reconstruction and management by interdisciplinary cooperation.

Civilian Penetrating Neck Trauma at a Level I Trauma Centre: A Five-Year Retrospective Case Note Review

OBJECTIVES

To report the experience of civilian penetrating neck trauma (PNT) at a UK level I trauma centre, propose an initial management algorithm and assess the degree of correlation between clinical signs of injury, operative findings, and radiological reports.

DESIGN

Retrospective case note review SETTING: UK level I trauma centre April 2012-November 2017 PARTICIPANTS: 310 cases of PNT were drawn from electronic patient records. Data was extracted on hard and soft signs of vascular or aerodigestive tract injury, clinical management, radiological imaging and patient outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, morbidity and mortality. The correlation between clinical signs, and radiological reports to internal injury on surgical exploration.

RESULTS

271 (87.4%) male and 39 (13.6%) female patients with a mean age 36 years (16 - 87) were identified. The most common causes of injury were assault 171 (55.2%) and deliberate self-harm 118 (38%). A knife was the most common instrument 240 (77.4%). Past psychiatric history was noted in 119 (38.4%) and 60 (19.4%) were intoxicated. 50% were definitively managed in theatre with a negative exploration rate of 38%, and 50% were managed in ED. Pre-operative radiological reports correlated with operative reports in 62% of cases with venous injury the most common positive and negative finding. Multivariate correlation was r=0.89, p=0.045 between hard signs plus positive radiology findings and internal injury on neck exploration.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of PNT by clinical and radiological signs is safe and effective, and can be streamlined by a decision-making algorithm as proposed here.