Spontaneous surgical emphysema of the larynx following hyperextension of the neck

Surgical emphysema of the larynx is rare in the absence of trauma and there are a paucity of case reports that describe such conditions. We present what we believe to be an unusual, atraumatic mechanism for mucosal breech of the larynx with subsequent surgical emphysema. Nasendoscopy revealed oedema of the arytenoid cartilage and computed tomography revealed moderate subcutaneous emphysema of the larynx. No fracture was seen. After conservative management the patient made a complete recovery.