Pseudarthroses of the cornu of the thyroid cartilage

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Injuries to the cartilaginous larynx are rare disorders that usually undergo good spontaneous healing and rarely require surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review from patients with pseudarthrosis of the cornu of the thyroid cartilage. SETTING: ENT department of a level I trauma center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined the medical records of seven patients treated for impaired healing of the cornu of the thyroid cartilage at a level I trauma center between 1997 and 2009. RESULTS: Seven patients were treated as a result of impaired healing of injuries to the cornu of the thyroid cartilage caused by trivial trauma (e.g., car accidents). The principal symptom was odynophagia. Computed tomography was used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment involved resecting the cornu of the thyroid cartilage. Histology showed a hypertrophic pseudarthrosis at the base of the cornu. All patients were free of symptoms 10 days after resection. CONCLUSION: Pseudarthrosis of the cornu of the thyroid cartilage is a previously undescribed condition. Pseudarthrosis of the laryngeal skeleton should be excluded in patients with odynophagia. © 2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.