Traumatic laryngeal injury in a nine year old child--the 'padded dash' syndrome revisited.

A case is presented of a 9-year-old girl who sustained a traumatic injury to the larynx following a frontal impact motor vehicle accident. The type of injury sustained was typical of what is now called the 'padded dash' syndrome. On impact the anterior aspect of the neck strikes the car dashboard resulting in the larynx being crushed against the vertebral column. The victim is often unrestrained. The injury was detected only at extubation whereupon severe respiratory distress ensued. Injury to the larynx is uncommon at all ages, even more so in children. In the paediatric age group signs and symptoms may be minimal and a high index of suspicion is required. The diagnosis and management of these injuries with special reference to childhood is discussed.