Throat Contusion - An Overview

Introduction:

A contusion or a bruise is a portion of the skin or tissue in which the blood capillaries have been damaged or ruptured. This can result in pain, swelling, and discoloration. A throat contusion happens when an object gets stuck in the mouth. This can damage the tissues and the blood vessels of the throat. Examples include falling with a spoon or a toothbrush in the mouth. Throat contusion can also occur due to a blow to the neck. Since the neck is a structure with intricate components, injury in this region should not be overlooked.

What Are the Parts Affected by an Injury to the Throat?

The affected parts include:

• Trachea or windpipe (a tube that carries air to the lungs).

• Esophagus (a tube through which food is transported to the stomach).

• Larynx (vocal cords).

• Thyroid.

• Spine.

How Can an Injury to the Throat Be Evaluated?

A blow to the throat is regarded as blunt force trauma. One must evaluate if the blunt trauma has caused any injuries to the windpipe, cervical (neck) spine, or blood vessels. In case of throat contusion, the blood vessels can split open, and the blood can ooze under the skin resulting in a bruise.

What Happens if the Blood Vessels in the Neck Are Damaged?

A few important and large blood vessels run parallel to the windpipe, like the carotid artery. When an injury occurs in these blood vessels, a clot formed in the artery can reach the brain, causing stroke or disrupting the blood vessels. There are three layers of muscles present in this region.

Occasionally, trauma to the blood vessel can cause one of these layers to detach from the others, resulting in the formation of a flap. In such cases, there can be a backflow of blood. Hence, the free flow of the blood gets affected due to the eddying of blood, which can result in the formation of clots.

What Are the Reasons for Throat Contusion?

A person can encounter throat contusion when they fall with an object in the mouth or if an object is pressed against the throat. Injuries to the larynx (voice box) can occur due to the following reasons:

• Injuries due to sports.

• Injuries due to road traffic accidents.

• Choking.

• Physical assault.

• Strangulation.

• Injuries caused due to a fall.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Throat Contusion?

The signs and symptoms can vary based on the severity of the injury. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Pain in the throat.

• Changes in the tone of voice.

• Difficulty swallowing.

• Hoarseness.

• Swollen neck.

• Neck tenderness.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Discoloration of skin.

• Spitting out blood.

• Crepitus (a crackling sound or sensation that can be felt when a person moves their head).

How Can Throat Contusion Be Diagnosed?

Initially, a physician will perform a physical examination to assess the severity of the injury. The physician will also enquire about the history of the trauma. Photographs may be taken to compare the bruises and swelling with time. The physician will also assess if the patient is able to breathe normally. If not, necessary assistance will be provided.

Once a patent airway is achieved, the physician will further analyze the injury with the help of a small, flexible telescope that traverses through the individual’s nose and then into the throat. Further tests are required since other injuries may also occur along with with a bruised throat. These tests are as follows:

• Chest X-Ray: This is done to eliminate other health issues that may cause injury to the airways.

• Endoscopy: A flexible or rigid endoscopy may be used by a physician under general anesthesia (a drug that induces transient loss of sensation and complete loss of awareness such that one feels as if they are in a deep sleep). An endoscopy is done to view the throat’s mucosal lesions and to examine the swelling.

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: In this procedure, several images of the affected region are taken from various angles. Then, computer processing software combines these images and produces cross-sectional images of the particular region.

• Bronchoscopy: A thin tube with a camera at the end is passed through the throat and into the lungs to detect the presence of any injuries.

How Can Throat Contusion Be Treated?

Throat contusion is treated depending on the injury's severity and extent. The treatment options include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen may be prescribed to obtain relief from the pain.

• Ice packs can be applied to the affected region.

• The head of the bed should be kept elevated to reduce the swelling and manage the secretions in the throat.

• One must give rest to the voice.

• Inhaling cool, humidified air can enhance the secretions in the throat.

• Anti-reflux medication may be prescribed to prevent acid reflux and inflammation of the throat.

• Intubation may be required in individuals with noisy breathing or difficulty breathing due to a hindrance in the airflow.

• A therapist may provide exercises to enable a person to eat, swallow, and speak comfortably during the recovery period.

How Long Does It Take for a Throat Contusion to Heal?

The time required for healing depends on the injury's severity and extent. A simple bruise can heal within a few weeks. The healing time of a cervical sprain or strain can range from a couple of days to several weeks.

What Are the Complications and Risks of Throat Contusion?

Neck trauma accounts for about 5 to 10 % of all serious traumatic injuries. Most of these are penetrating throat injuries, wherein the skin gets damaged or torn. Blunt trauma to the neck, which does not involve a skin break, is very rare. Blows to the throat can pose a threat to life. In rare conditions, a non-penetrating blow can damage the wall of the pharynx.

When Should One Consult a Doctor?

Trauma to the throat can be associated with mild symptoms initially and can obscure severe injuries. The injury can result in life-threatening conditions if it is not treated appropriately. A neck injury or a blow to the neck requires a medical consultation. One must observe the changes that occur following an injury to the throat. If one experiences any of the symptoms mentioned above, seeking help from a healthcare professional is mandatory.

Conclusion:

A throat contusion occurs as a consequence of injury to the throat due to trauma. Common reasons could be falls, sports injuries, physical assault, or road traffic accidents. If the punch in the throat does not involve broken skin, then it can heal with home remedies. Contusions or bruises take time to heal. Treatment relies on the extent and severity of the symptoms. One must not avoid seeking help from a physician if one experiences difficulty breathing, changes in voice, or difficulty swallowing.