Clicking Larynx; A Case Report

Abstract

The authors describe a case of clicking larynx, which is characterized by a clicking sound and pain in the neck on swallowing. A 58-year-old woman complained of pain and clicking on both sides of her neck on swallowing. Examination and fluoroscopy showed that on swallowing, the thyroid cartilage entered between the greater hyoid cornua. The thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone were locked together until they reached the end of their downward course, when the sterno-thyroid muscle contracted strongly to separate the locked structures. At the moment of this separation, a click was produced. Both superior cornua of the thyroid cartilage were surgically removed, and the click and pain on swallowing disappeared.