Should An ENT Specialist Be Consulted Along With A CAT Scan After Being Strangled During An Assault?

Posted on Thu, 13 Apr 2023

Question: I was strangled at Pilgram State hospital in New York State by a very big, strong guy who put me in a choke hold with his forearm around my neck. I couldn't fight back because he literally lifted my entire body up while doing the choke hold for several minutes. My voice was raspy for a few weeks after the assault before returning to normal. I want to know if it is worth seeing a ENT doctor to get a CAT scan to see if there are any fractures or muscle tears. The incident happened about a year and a half ago and I never saw a doctor.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Injury neck

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Neck strangulation can cause injury to the laryngeal cartilage and can cause laryngeal edema leading to change in voice. Injury usually heals with time and it is unlikely to find any pathologies on a CT scan now.

Please tell me what symptoms are you having now like any hoarseness of voice or pain while swallowing? Follow up with the required information so that I can suggest you better and prescribe you accordingly.

Hope I have answered your query. Any further questions are always welcome. Take care.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal
ENT Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (2 hours later)

I only had horseness in voice for a few weeks after the assault. I never had pain while swallowing.

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The only possible symptom is that I can't speak as loud as I used to. Please explain the reason why my voice was raspy after being strangled for a period of a few weeks and also why I can't speak as loud as I used to, and if there are any treatment options available.

As I said before my voice is not raspy anymore just it's difficult for me to speak as loud.

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Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Injury neck

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If there are no symptoms, there is no need to get any investigations done.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal
ENT Specialist

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Brief Answer:
Injury neck

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Injury to the neck can cause laryngeal edema and a long standing laryngeal edema can lead to vocal cord changes which can cause voice change.

You should get an endoscopic examination of the larynx done. Any options for further treatment will depend upon the laryngoscopy report.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal
ENT Specialist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (5 days later)

What exactly is laryngeal edema?

Also you never answered my question as to why my voice was raspy for a few weeks after the incident.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Injury larynx

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Laryngeal edema is swelling in the laryngeal cartilage and vocal cords. Change in voice may appear sometime later because the changes in the vocal cords and laryngeal cartilage may take time to manifest or it may be due to some other vocal cords pathology.

Sometimes immediately after the injury there may be effect of medicines that can prevent the pathology to manifest.

I hope my advise proves helpful.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal
ENT Specialist

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D