Blunt laryngeal trauma presenting as bilateral massive pneumothoraces and subcutaneous emphysema: a multidisciplinary approach to management

Abstract

A 3-year-old boy had an unwitnessed fall from a highchair. The child had no loss of consciousness, vomiting, stridor or respiratory distress but within a few minutes had significant swelling in the neck, scalp and around the eyes. He was brought immediately to the emergency room where he deteriorated rapidly and was intubated with a cuffed oral endotracheal tube. A clinical diagnosis of blunt laryngeal trauma was made. Imaging showed no laryngeal disruption, but did reveal massive bilateral pneumothoraces, that were managed with chest tube. A multidisciplinary meeting with family led to a watchful waiting approach. The patient was successfully extubated at 1 week and healed with a clear voice.

Keywords: ear, nose and throat; ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; emergency medicine; trauma.