Man Tears Windpipe After Holding in a Sneeze
A man suffered a tracheal tear when driving his car and attempting to hold in a sneeze. The increased pressure caused by pinching his nose and closing his mouth while sneezing caused a tiny tear in his windpipe, although he didn’t suffer and major symptoms.
By Richard Cole · December 17, 2023
While driving and grappling with hay fever, a man accidentally ripped a tiny opening in his windpipe while trying to suppress a sneeze. Rather than letting the sneeze happen organically, he opted to hinder it by pinching his nose and sealing his mouth.
The act of stifling the sneeze caused a rapid build-up of pressure in the man’s upper airways, leading to a tear measuring 0.08 inch by 0.08 inch (2 by 2 millimeters) in his windpipe. This resulted in severe pain, swelling in his neck, and difficulty in movement. However, he did not experience any breathing, swallowing, or speaking difficulties.
Upon seeking medical attention, a neck X-ray revealed surgical emphysema, with air trapped under the deepest tissue layers below the skin. A subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan indicated that the tear was located between the third and fourth vertebrae of his neck, with air accumulation in the chest space between his lungs.
Everyone should be advised not to stifle sneezes by pinching the nose while keeping the mouth closed as it can result in tracheal perforation
Despite the severity of the injury, physicians determined that surgical intervention was unnecessary. The patient was closely monitored in the hospital for two days to ensure the stability of his vital signs and oxygen levels. Following his discharge, he was advised to refrain from strenuous physical activity for two weeks. After five weeks, a follow-up CT scan showed that the tear had completely healed.
The case, detailed in a report published in the journal BMJ Case Reports, prompted physicians to issue a cautionary advisory. They emphasized the potential dangers of stifling sneezes by pinching the nose and closing the mouth, as it can result in tracheal perforation. The authors stressed that while such injuries are exceedingly rare, they are not impossible and should serve as a warning to others.
Spontaneous tearing of the windpipe is a rare occurrence and can be potentially life-threatening. Typically, such injuries are caused by physical trauma or medical procedures, such as surgical interventions. Depending on the location of the tear and the patient’s stability, surgical repair is often necessary. While sustaining such injuries from holding in a sneeze is exceptionally rare, this case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of such actions.