Hyoid bone syndrome and its treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Purpose: Nonspecific cervical pain is a common complaint in primary ear, nose, and throat clinic patients. In some cases, hyoid bone syndrome has been recognized as the cause of the complaint. Our study describes this common but unrecognized syndrome and suggests a treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a method of treatment not previously reported for this syndrome. Patients and Methods: Patients with suspected hyoid bone syndrome (38) were treated with oral NSAIDs and/or with an NSAID ointment for topical application. Results: Symptomatic relief was obtained in 66% of our patients and in 71% of the patients treated by NSAID tablets. Symptomatic relief was obtained in 91% of the patients with symptom durations of less than 6 weeks. Conclusion: We recommend a course of NSAID therapy as the first method of treatment for this syndrome before treatment with invasive procedures, especially for patients with symptom durations of less than 6 weeks. Better recognition of the hyoid bone syndrome will result in a more effective treatment and will avoid an unnecessary investigation. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.