A pain in the neck: lateral thyrohyoid ligament syndrome.

Abstract

A lateralized pain in the neck is a common symptom encountered by the otolaryngologist. This complaint, frequently caused by lateral thyrohyoid ligament syndrome, is often misdiagnosed. The pathophysiology of this syndrome may relate to overuse and inflammation. [change made here after initial online publication]. Typically, patients present with chronic unilateral neck pain often associated with odynophagia. The point of maximum tenderness localizes over the axis of the lateral thyrohyoid ligament. We present a series of 15 patients, in whom treatment with depot steroid and local anesthetic injection (n = 14) improved symptoms in 12 (86%), with complete resolution in nine (64%) patients.