Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury Secondary to Blunt Trauma; A Rarity
Abstract
Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is rarely seen following trauma. Trauma can be penetrating or blunt injury. Following the acute event, the most common presentation is hoarseness of voice. Herein we present a case of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury noticed after a blunt trauma. Indirect laryngoscopy helps to identify and diagnose vocal cord palsy while Computed Tomography (CT) scan of neck helps to evaluate the extent of injury as well as to identify the primary cause of the injury. Patient morbidity can be reduced with prompt diagnosis and management.References
Lynch J, Parameswaran R, Management of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after thyroid surgery: A review. Head Neck. 2017;39:1470-8
Schroeder U, Motzko M, Wittekindt C, et al. Hoarseness after laryngeal blunt trauma: a differential diagnosis between an injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and an arytenoid subluxation. A case report and literature review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2003;260:304–7
Tuzuner A, Demirci S, Aydogan F, et al. Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy following blunt trauma of lateral neck. Austin J Surg. 2014;1: 1021
Jiang Y, Gao B, Zhang X, et al. Prevention and treatment of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in thyroid surgery. Int J Clin Exp Med 2014;7:101-7
Lemke J, Schreiber MN, Henne-Bruns D, et al. Thyroid gland hemorrhage after blunt neck trauma: case report and review of the literature. BMC Surgery. 2017;17:115
Łochowski MP, Rębowski M, Kozak J, et al. Laryngeal laceration after blunt neck trauma in a football player. Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska. 2018;15:57-8
Manzoor L, Mohammed L, Imtiyaz N, et al. Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy following blunt neck trauma. Indian J. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2007;59:298–9
Saylam B, Çomçali B, Ozer MV, et al. Thyroid gland hematoma after blunt neck trauma. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2009;10:247-9
Liao WC, Wang YJ, Huang MC, Tseng GF. Methylcobalamin facilitates collateral sprouting of donor axons and innervation of recipient muscle in end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats. PLoS One. 2013;8:e76302
