Open AccessCrab Shell Impaction in the Larynx with Aphonia
Author(s) -
Nayan Parekh,
Prashant R. Kashyap
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
philippine journal of otolaryngology head and neck surgery (on-line)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2094-1501
DOI - 10.32412/pjohns.v33i2.277
Subject(s) - foreign body , larynx , impaction , medicine , airway , surgery , vocal folds
Objective: To report a case of crab shell impaction at the glottic level presenting only as aphonia and cough.
Methods
Design: Case Report
Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital
Patient: One (1)
Results: A 36-year-old male, who presented in emergency with sudden aphonia after a meal, was found to have crab shell with leg spines impacted at the glottic level. Due to its large size, ragged edges and the sharp spines stuck in the tissue, endoscopic removal needed a prior tracheostomy. All pieces were extracted, with no bleeding, laceration or tissue damage. The patient completely recovered with normal vocal folds and a normal voice at follow up.
Conclusion: Our experience suggests that an impacted foreign body may warrant a tracheostomy to secure the airway prior to extraction, and avoid any possible complications including laryngeal injury.
Keywords: foreign body, larynx, crab shell, loss of voice