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hyoid bone syndrome
Etiology:
- anomaly arises during embryogenesis from cartilage of the second pharyngeal arch
Pathology:
- abnormal stylohyoid complex compresses & affects function of surrounding tissues
Clinical manifestations:
- point tenderness at the lateral aspect of the hyoid or superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage (most common)
- neck pain & facial pain
- throat pain, sensation in throat
- odynophagia
- dysphonia
- obstructive sleep apnea
Special laboratory:
- triamcinolone injection into the affected greater cornu of the hyoid bone can confirm the diagnosis & resolve symptoms [2]
Complications:
- cervical sympathetic chain dysfunction due to compression by hyoid bone [1]
- ischemic cerebrovascular events may occur due to the involvement of the carotid artery & jugular vein
Differential diagnosis:
- clicking larynx
- triticeal cartilage
- Eagle syndrome
Management:
- head & neck surgery
- excision of left greater horn & superior cornu of thyroid cartilage
Related
hyoid bone
General
syndrome
References
- Wang R, Yuan H, Dong Z
Images in Neurology.
Hyoid Bone Syndrome With Sympathetic Symptoms.
JAMA Neurol. 2021;78(6):757-758
PMID: 33871556
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2778360
- Stern N, Jackson-Menaldi C, Rubin AD.
Hyoid bone syndrome: a retrospective review of 84 patients treated
with triamcinolone acetonide injections.
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2013 Mar;122(3):159-62
PMID: 23577567