The dangers of minor blunt laryngeal trauma

Since the introduction of seat belts, laryngotracheal trauma has become a rare injury, comprising less than one per cent of blunt trauma cases seen at major trauma centres. However, a wide range of damage to the soft tissue and cartilaginous framework of the larynx may result from such injuries but signs of injury are easily overlooked leading to potentially serious consequences for the patient. We report a case of isolated blunt laryngeal trauma from a relatively minor injury which illustrates some of the problems resulting in these cases and review the treatment of blunt laryngeal trauma.