Citation

Kim JD, Shuler FD, Mo B, Gibbs SR, Belmaggio T, Giangarra CE. Sports Health 2013; 5(3): 273-275.

Affiliation

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Marshall University, Huntington, WV.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1941738112473417

PMID

24427402

PMCID

PMC3658405

Abstract

Laryngotracheal trauma is a rare condition that accounts for less than 1% of blunt trauma. Laryngotracheal fractures are uncommon in sports, even in settings where athletes are more vulnerable, including American football, basketball, and hockey. If a laryngeal injury is suspected, immediate evaluation is required to avoid a delay in the diagnosis of a potentially life-threatening injury. A collegiate basketball player sustained an unusual fracture involving the cricoid and thyroid cartilage during practice. This case illustrates the importance of rapid identification and early management of patients with blunt laryngotracheal trauma in sports.

Language: en