In neck trauma with anterior neck abrasions, which injury should be suspected?

• A. Basilar fracture
• B. Laryngeal fracture
• C. Tension pneumothorax
• D. Fracture of the manubrium

Answer: (B)

Anterior neck trauma that shows abrasions points you toward potential injury of the laryngeal framework, because the larynx sits right behind the anterior neck surface. A laryngeal fracture, involving the thyroid or cricoid cartilage, is a classic concern in this scenario and carries a real risk of airway compromise, so recognizing it guides urgent and careful airway assessment and management. Look for signs such as hoarseness or voice changes, difficulty speaking or swallowing, drooling, stridor, neck tenderness, and sometimes subcutaneous emphysema from air leaking into soft tissues. In contrast, a basilar skull fracture involves the base of the skull and produces different signs (like facial trauma patterns and CSF leakage), a tension pneumothorax arises from chest injury with respiratory collapse, and a fracture of the manubrium is a sternum injury located lower in the chest—none are as directly suggested by anterior neck abrasions as a laryngeal fracture.