Omohyoid Muscle Syndrome / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Some patients present transient swelling on lower lateral neck during swallowing; this condition is known as "omohyoid syndrome" or "omohyoid sling syndrome". The purpose of this case report is to evaluate the proper mechanism as well as to give the reader an appreciation for the proper diagnosis and treatment to this not-uncommon condition. METHODS: There were three cases between May, 2000 and January, 2001. The photography, real-time sonography, and computed tomography (CT) were used. RESULTS: There was a brief report on omohyoid syndrome. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is passively tented up by an underlying omohyoid muscle, and the omohyoid muscle is paradoxically thickened during swallowing. The former appears to have lost its restriction to bowstring by the retaining deep cervical fascia. And the latter seems to result from lack of its relaxation during laryngeal elevation. CONCLUSION: The described approaches allow for precise diagnosis and definite proof of the pathogenetic mechanism.