Cervical Spine Osteomyelitis After Direct Rigid Laryngoscopy and Balloon Dilation

Abstract

Direct rigid laryngoscopy (DRL) is a diagnostic tool used to visualize the larynx, pharynx or upper esophagus . DRL is considered a relatively well tolerated and safe procedure in Otolaryngology practice, however soft tissue injury to the oral cavity or upper aerodigestive tract are possible complications of the procedure. Tongue injury is the most common type of soft tissue trauma (36.3%), followed by lower lip injury (22.3%), upper lip injury (7.1%), and oral mucosa injury (2.1%) (1). Here, we report on a patient who underwent DRL, had osteomyelitis of the cervical spine after the procedure, and subsequently required cervical spine surgery.