Cadaveric position of unilateral vocal cord: a case of cricoid fracture with ipsilateral arytenoid dislocation

Authors

  • Nirmalkumar Gopalakrishnan
  • Kalaichezhian Mariappan
  • Venkatraman Indiran
  • Prabakaran Maduraimuthu
  • Chandrasekhar Varadarajan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v6i3.924

Keywords:

Cricoid cartilage, arytenoid cartilage, vocal cord paralysis, thyroplasty

Abstract

We report a case of cricoid cartilage fracture with unilateral arytenoid dislocation following a motorcycle accident. This 25 year old male sustained blunt injury to the head, face and neck. He presented late to the hospital with one week history of dysphonia. Laryngoscopy revealed cadaveric position of the non-functioning left vocal cord. CT and MRI showed laterally displaced left vocal cord. Displaced fractures were noted in the cricoid at the junction of lamina with the anterior arch on the left side and at the right side of the anterior arch, along with dislocated left arytenoid resulting in ipsilateral vocal cord palsy. Medialization thyroplasty was performed to improve his phonation. Laryngeal trauma warrants close monitoring because of the risk of airway compromise. Radiologists play a crucial role in early diagnosis and should always have high index of suspicion. Recognition of laryngeal injury is important for initial resuscitation as well as for long term airway and vocal function.

Author Biographies

Nirmalkumar Gopalakrishnan

Final year postgraduate in MD Radiology,

Department of Radiology

Kalaichezhian Mariappan

Second year postgraduate in MD Radiology,

Department of Radiology

Venkatraman Indiran

Assistant Professor

Department of Radiology

Prabakaran Maduraimuthu

Professor of Radiology Department

Chandrasekhar Varadarajan

Professor of Radiology Department
Journal of Radiology Case Reports March 2012 issue - Breast Fibromatosis Response to Tamoxifen: Dynamic MRI Findings and Review of the Current Treatment Options by Plaza et al.

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Published

2012-03-11

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 3 (2012)

Section

Emergency Radiology

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