Hyoid bone-related vasculopathy

Abstract

Hyoid bone-related vasculopathy is underestimated, and the relation between carotid artery and hyoid bone is not familiar to us. So it is very important to make the pathophysiology well known. We evaluate the anatomical abnormal findings between carotid artery and hyoid bone with 3D-CTA, and we review the effect on the carotid artery and the pathology. The chronic contact and repeated compression to carotid artery by hyoid bone can give rise to stenosis, occlusion, dissection of carotid artery, or plaque formation, and result in ischemic events. The anatomical position of hyoid bone may vary more than expected and can be a risk factor for vasculopathy. We should pay attention that the morphological change and/or deviation of hyoid bone may easily inflict damage on the adjacent carotid artery, and it plays a central role within stylohyoid–thyroid chain. In the cases of twisted carotid bifurcation or embolic stroke of undetermined source, we should examine proactively the relationship between carotid artery and hyoid bone.