Thyroid cartilage asymmetry as a potential diagnostic finding for occult cartilaginous fractures for the evaluation of nonfatal manual strangulation

This study is based on the hypothesis that occult cartilaginous fractures of thyroid cartilage (TC) may result in asymmetry framework. Justification this was provided by an estimation prevalence TC a consecutive postmortem group. The findings were then compared to three cases nonfatal manual strangulation and one case survival blunt trauma neck. images from two-year sample institutional computed tomography database (N= 1187) assessed. Cases with acute injury excluded. asymmetry, signs prior trauma, sex age, retrieved. present 72 (6.2%, 67 males). In 40 (3.5%), old could be identified. derived odds ratios 7.48 for male 1.02 (each year of) age (p <0.001). Asymmetry laminae observed significantly more often left side 53, 73.6%, p 1 2 showed asymmetries following strangulation. 3 4 illustrated limited visibility tomography. associated older typically located side. young female rare. and/or fractures, as indicated. Further research needed validate hypothesis.