Author(s)

Stanley Baba Amutta^*, Mohammed Abdullahi, Daniel Aliyu, Caleb Manya

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Introduction: Laryngeal stenosis is partial or circumferential narrowing of the endolaryngeal airway from congenital or acquired causes. It can present with life threatening upper airway obstruction, and the goal of treatment is restoration of good quality voice, respiration and laryngeal competence. We report a case of laryngeal stenosis following strangulation by a trapped overflowed head scarf, whilst being transported on a motor cycle and highlighted the treatment challenges. Methodology: A case of laryngeal stenosis studied, clinical findings, investigation results and treatment analysed. Results: A 70-year-old Nigerian elderly woman presented with three weeks’ history of hoarseness and progressive difficulty in breathing, following pulling of her long head scarf into the back wheel of the motor cycle taking her home. She had immediate loss of consciousness, which lasted for about 60 minutes. There was associated bout of cough while eating. Examination revealed life threatening upper airway obstruction. X-ray soft tissue neck showed soft tissue mass obliterating larygotracheal air column. Flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy showed grossly distorted laryngeal inlet with invisible vocal cords. CT scan of the larynx showed multiple and displaced fractures of the laryngeal cartilages. Microlaryngoscopy findings were pin-hole laryngeal lumen with firm collapsed mucosa. Emergency tracheostomy was done to relieve the upper airway obstruction. Attempts were made to excise the collapse mucosa and insert a stent proved difficult. Referral for endoscopic laser excision was caution because of the potential risk of aspiration. She was counselled and coping well with the tracheostomy.

Laryngeal Stenosis, Strangulation, Treatment, Sokoto

Baba Amutta, S. , Abdullahi, M. , Aliyu, D. and Manya, C. (2016) Laryngeal Stenosis from Trapped Overflowed Head Scarf in the Wheel of a Moving Motor Cycle: A Case Report. Case Reports in Clinical Medicine, 5, 347-352. doi: 10.4236/crcm.2016.510053.