Can barotrauma cause damage to the throat?

From the Guidelines

Yes, barotrauma can cause damage to the throat, as evidenced by the potential for pneumomediastinum, which can present with symptoms such as hoarseness and dyspnoea 1. Barotrauma occurs when there is injury to tissues due to pressure differences between an air-containing space and the surrounding environment. In the throat, this typically happens during activities like scuba diving, flying, or exposure to blast injuries. The throat can experience symptoms such as pain, soreness, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and in severe cases, tissue damage or bleeding. Treatment depends on severity but often includes rest, pain management with acetaminophen or ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours as needed), and avoiding activities that cause pressure changes until healing occurs. For severe cases, medical attention is necessary. Some key points to consider include:

• The risk of barotrauma is increased in situations where there is localized or generalized airway narrowing, bulla formation, or any localized weakness of the lung parenchyma 1.
• Barotrauma can also occur due to external air-blast injuries, which can cause traumatic injuries of the esophagus (TIE) 1.
• Prevention includes proper equalization techniques during pressure changes and avoiding pressure-changing activities when congested.
• People with upper respiratory infections, allergies, or anatomical abnormalities may be at higher risk for throat barotrauma. It's worth noting that while some studies discuss tracheal tube exchange and the risk of barotrauma in this context 1, the most relevant and recent evidence for barotrauma causing damage to the throat is found in the study on respiratory aspects of fitness for diving 1.

From the Research

Barotrauma and Throat Damage

• Barotrauma is physical damage to body tissues caused by a difference in pressure between a gas space inside, or in contact with the body, and the surrounding fluid 2.
• The provided studies do not directly address the question of whether barotrauma can cause damage to the throat.
• However, studies have shown that barotrauma can occur in various parts of the body, including the lungs 3, 4, ears 5, 6, and sinuses 6.
• It is possible that barotrauma could cause damage to the throat, but there is no direct evidence to support this claim in the provided studies.

Related Injuries

• Barotrauma can cause injuries such as subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax 3, 4.
• These injuries can occur in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who are receiving mechanical ventilation 3, 4.
• Barotrauma can also occur in patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, particularly those with nasopharyngeal radiation injury 5.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Barotrauma can be diagnosed using imaging studies such as MRI 6.
• Treatment for barotrauma depends on the severity of the injury and may include interventions such as tympanostomy tube placement 5 or chest tube insertion 4.