Image-Guided Cervicotomy and Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Reinnervation in Zone II Glass Neck Trauma: A Case Report.
Rayssa Nanni De Carvalho, Vinicius Carlos Jacobs, José Gustavo Parreira et al.
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Case in brief
A 45-year-old woman with penetrating neck trauma from glass fragments presented hemodynamically stable, without airway compromise. Imaging revealed multiple retained glass foreign bodies but no major vascular injuries. Laryngoscopy showed left vocal fold paralysis, leading to selective cervicotomy. Forty glass fragments were removed, and a transected recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified and reinnervated. The patient achieved functional voice recovery at 12-month follow-up.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In cases of penetrating neck trauma, the absence of major vascular injuries on imaging does not rule out significant neural injuries; early laryngoscopy can be crucial for diagnosis.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of thorough evaluation in penetrating neck injuries, as retained foreign bodies can complicate the clinical picture and necessitate timely surgical intervention.