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clicking larynx

Etiology: - neck trauma (most common identified cause) - alteration of the thyroid cartilage - ossification of the thyroid cartilage - abnormal bone formation in the thyrohyoid ligament - idiopathic (50%) Pathology: - rubbing between the hyoid bone & the thyroid cartilage during swallowing causes a clicking sensation & neck pain - normally, a space is present between the thyroid cartilage & the hyoid bone during swallowing Physcial examination: - clicking location can be identified by palpation of the neck on swallowing Clinical manifestations: - clicking sensation in the neck on swallowing or when moving the head - often associated with neck pain Special laboratory: - layngoscopy often normal Radiology: - computed tomography of neck often normal - swallowing dynamic computed tomography on swallowing will show contact of the superior edge of the thyroid cartilage with the hyoid bone on swallowing Differential diagnosis: - hyoid bone syndrome - Eagle syndrome - triticeal cartilage Management: - physiotherapy - analgesics - surgery under local anesthesia to identify sites in contact on swallowing - partial exision of thyroid cartilage

General

laryngeal disease

References

  1. American Medical Association. JN Learning. https://edhub.ama-assn.org/jn-learning/module/2781097
  2. Heuveling DA, van Loon MC, Rinkel RNPM. A clicking larynx: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Laryngoscope. 2018 Mar;128(3):697-700 PMID: 28948609
  3. Saratziotis A, Katsouli G, Mireas G. Clicking larynx syndrome - a diagnostic and surgical challenge. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2020 Aug 28:S0385-8146(20)30209-1 PMID: 32868116
  4. Counter RT. A clicking larynx. J Laryngol Otol. 1978 Jul;92(7):629-31. PMID: 681838
  5. Smith ME, Berke GS, Gray SD, Dove H, Harnsberger R. Clicking in the throat: cinematic fiction or surgical fact? Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001 Sep;127(9):1129-31. PMID: 11556866