Throat and mouth emergencies Flashcards
Who is most at risk of neck trauma?
Higher incidence in males, especially adolescents/YAs
What are some mechanisms of penetrating neck trauma?
- Knife/BSW/MVA
- Industrial accidents
- Household accidents
What are some mechanisms of blunt neck trauma?
- MVA (Motor vehicle accidents)
- Sporting injuries (E.g. clothesline tackle)
What are the 3 classes of new trauma?
What are some affected structures within zone I neck trauma?
- Trachea
- Oesophagus
- Thoracic duct
- Thyroid
- Vessels - brachiocephalic, subclavian, common carotid, thyrocervical trunk
- Spinal cord
What are some affected structures within zone II neck trauma?
- Larynx
- Hypopharynx
- CN X, XI, XII
- Vessels - carotids, internal jugular
- Spinal cord
What are some affected structures within zone III neck trauma?
- Pharynx
- Cranial nerves
- Vessels - carotids, IJV, vertebral
- Spinal cord
What are some important questions to ask in neck trauma?
- Mechanism of injury
- Pain
- Aerodigestive tract - dyspnoea, hoarseness, dysphona, dysphagia, haemoptysis
- CNS problems - paraethesias, weakness
What are some points to examine in neck trauma?
- ABCDE
- Inspect through platysma
- Zone of neck
- Bleeding/haematoma
- Aerodigestive injuries
- Neurological - power, sensation upper arm
What are some investigations required in neck trauma?
- FBC, G+S/XM
- CXR - haemopneumothorax, emphysema
- CT angiogram
- Urgent exploration - expanding haematoma, hypovolaemic shock, airway obstruction, blood in aerodigestive tract
- Laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, pharyngoscopy, and oesophagoscopy
- Angiography - embolise, occluse
What causes deep neck space infection?
Extension of infection from tonsil or oropharynx into deeper tissues e.g. from quinsy
What are some symptoms of deep neck space infection?
- Sore throat
- Unwell
- Limited neck movement
What are some signs of deep neck space infection?
- Febrile
- Trismus
- Red/tender neck
How is deep neck space infection managed?
- IV access, bloods, fluid rehydration
- IV antibiotics - co-amoxiclav or clinamycin
- May need theatre for incision and drainage unless abscess is small and improves with conservative treatment
What is a possible complication of deep neck space infection?
Infection may extend into medistinum through fascial compartments