Extended Superior Cornu of Thyroid Cartilage Causing Dysphagia and Throat Pain

Abstract

Superior thyroid cornu syndrome (STCS) is an abnormality of superior cornu of thyroid cartilage which can produce dysphagia, odynophagia or throat pain. The causes of this condition are congenital or acquired. A 51-year-old Caucasian male presented with 4-month history of dysphagia and throat pain. Flexible endoscopy of the larynx revealed an ulceration on the left laryngeal surface of epiglottis. No malignant process was confirmed with histopathological examination, but protruding submucosal mass was detected. CT of the neck showed the ossified and extended left superior thyroid cornu. Surgical procedure was performed to resect the extended cornu. The patient was followed up in 2 weeks and presented no symptoms. STCS is a rare cause of chronic dysphagia or sore throat. Laryngologists should suspect it when malignancy of the larynx is ruled out. Surgery is the only known therapy, but it is not always effective.




J Med Cases. 2015;6(3):134-136
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2043w