Thermal Burn of the Larynx in a Child Caused by Microwaved Food

TL;DR

A 10-year-old boy suffered a laryngeal thermal burn from eating a microwaved rice ball, requiring intubation and ICU care to prevent airway obstruction.

Contribution

This case highlights the risk of laryngeal thermal injury from microwaved food and the need for early endoscopic evaluation.

Findings

Microwave-heated food can cause severe supraglottic edema consistent with thermal burn injury.

Endotracheal intubation and corticosteroid treatment effectively managed airway swelling and prevented complications.

Early endoscopic evaluation is critical for identifying and managing upper airway involvement.

Abstract

Thermal burns of the larynx are uncommon complications of ingesting overheated food and can lead to life-threatening upper airway obstruction due to edema. Here, we report the case of a 10-year-old boy who developed throat pain shortly after taking a microwave-heated rice ball. The following day, he presented to an emergency medical facility because his symptoms persisted and worsened. Although his vital signs and respiratory status were stable with minimal oral findings, flexible laryngoscopy demonstrated marked supraglottic edema consistent with thermal burn injury. Due to the risk of delayed airway obstruction, endotracheal intubation was performed under multidisciplinary support, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics were administered, resulting in a gradual reduction in laryngeal edema. He was successfully extubated on hospital day 4 and discharged without any complications. This case highlights that microwave-heated food can cause laryngeal thermal injury and emphasizes the importance of early endoscopic evaluation and proactive airway management when upper airway involvement is suspected.

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