PHARYNGEAL TRAUMA IN CHILDREN - ACCIDENTAL AND OTHERWISE

Citation
Pmj. Tostevin et al., PHARYNGEAL TRAUMA IN CHILDREN - ACCIDENTAL AND OTHERWISE, Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 109(12), 1995, pp. 1168-1175
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Otorhinolaryngology
ISSN journal
00222151
Volume
109
Issue
12
Year of publication
1995
Pages
1168 - 1175
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-2151(1995)109:12<1168:PTIC-A>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
Pharyngeal perforation is an uncommon injury in children. Most reporte d cases to date have been secondary to instrumentation or penetrating wounds. Laceration to the pharyngeal wall may introduce air, secretion s and bacteria into the parapharyngeal space and mediastinum and conse quently has potentially life-threatening sequelae. The management of t hese injuries is controversial. We present a series of four children w ho suffered pharyngeal trauma, accidentally and otherwise, and discuss their management. We recommend a high index of suspicion of pharyngea l injury in all cases of oropharyngeal trauma and overnight admission to hospital for observation until an accurate diagnosis has been estab lished. Nonaccidental injury of the child must be seriously considered in all cases.