clicking larynx
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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
Diagnostic procedures
- 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
Management
- physiotherapy
- analgesics
- surgery under local anesthesia to identify sites in contact on swallowing
- partial exision of thyroid cartilage
More general terms
References
- ↑ American Medical Association. JN Learning. https://edhub.ama-assn.org/jn-learning/module/2781097
- ↑ Heuveling DA, van Loon MC, Rinkel RNPM. A clicking larynx: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Laryngoscope. 2018 Mar;128(3):697-700 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28948609
- ↑ 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: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32868116
- ↑ Counter RT. A clicking larynx. J Laryngol Otol. 1978 Jul;92(7):629-31. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/681838
- ↑ 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: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11556866