What am I looking at here?

[Maddy]

Is the styloid touching anything etc? I don’t see a specialist for a hot minute.

[Jules]

It certainly looks longer than average, and quite angled! So it could be causing issues…
It looks from your imaging though as if it’s the C1 processes which are compressing the Internal Jugular vein, there’s quite a gap between it & the C1 process so it doesn’t look like the styloid is compressing it…Your hyoid bone processes look quite long too, they look pretty close to the IJV as well.
Unfortunately nerves don’t show on CT scans , so can’t comment on whether the styloids are irritating nerves.
If you’re able to get a referral to Dr Nakaji in AZ, he does C1 shaves, it may be that you need that doing depending on how bad your symptoms are? What symptoms do you have?

[Maddy]

I’m getting a referral to him on Wednesday! Then it will be a waiting period for him to review my scans etc to make sure I am a good fit for him to see me. Symptoms are anxiety, ear/neck pain, ear pooping, confusion and memory loss

[Maddy]

Basically the part that gets thinner on my jugular is the part that is compressed correct?

[Andy89316]

Yes, right where the bone pushes into it from the backside. Have you talked with Nakaji’s office? I know they can take imaging via Powershare, which would be sent via your Dr, or you send it to them directly in the mail.

[Isaiah_40_31]

Good job converting your images to 3D, @Maddy ! I’ve annotated 2 of them. It looks to me like your styloids are normal length, but you have calcified stylohyoid ligaments on both sides with slight IJV compression on the left & more significant IJV compression on the right. I also agree w/ @Jules that the greater horns of your hyoid bone look longer than normal. Additionally your cervical spine appears to be very straight. When the cervical spine loses its lordotic curve, it can cause the styloids/calcified s-h ligaments to come into closer contact with nerves & vascular tissues & cause problems. It is a problem that is correctible by seeing a knowledgeable PT.

Seeing Dr. Nakaji for an opinion should be helpful.

[Jules]

I’m sorry, I’m not great with technology so can’t annotate the images, but @Isaiah_40_31 has very helpfully done that for you!
I’m so pleased that you have an appointment with Dr Nakaji on Wednesday, we’ll look forward to hearing how you get on

[Maddy]

Thank you @Isaiah_40_31! What can they do for the hyped bone? My biggest complaint right now in a clicking sensation when I swallow.

[Isaiah_40_31]

The clicking when you swallow is most likely coming from your hyoid bone as you suspected. The greater horns can be shortened just as your calcified stylohyoid ligaments can be shortened/removed. There are several doctors who do hyoid bone surgery - Dr. Chhetri at UCLA Med Center in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Dewan in Louisiana (she used to be at Stanford & Hyoid bone surgeries are her specialty), & Dr. Cognetti in Philadelphia, PA.

•Dr Dinesh Chhetri, UCLA, Los Angeles (ENT/ Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon) Dinesh K. Chhetri, MD - Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery | UCLA Health

•Dr. Karuna Dewan, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - Academic Medical Center - Specializes in Hyoid Bone Syndrome surgeries

•Dr David Cognetti, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia 215- 955- 6760 (Has done many successful surgeries on members). Only removes ligaments if calcified. David M Cognetti MD | Jefferson Health

We have two members who just had hyoid bone surgery & are recovering - @a_catindisguise & @F_t. Here are a couple of links to discussions about it:

Thought it was time to post my story…

Hey you all! Wanted to start off by saying I really appreciate this group so much! When I started having symptoms, Eagles was the only thing that matched to a T. I had a follow up with my 2nd ENT this afternoon to go over my CT with contrast and I’ve officially been ruled out of every possible ENT condition including ES. My story is kind of interesting though and I’m hoping maybe it can help someone else that thinks they may have this condition. So my symptoms started the first week of March 20…

Finally diagnosed with clicking larynx syndrome!

GUYS!!! I just returned from my appointment with Dr Karuna Dewan a few hours ago and I cannot begin to describe the happiness and relief I feel right now!! First off, her office staff is superb. Everyone is SO kind. I got walked back to an exam room and had to wait a bit while she looked at my imaging. One of her assistants came in the room and asked me how I found her because I came from so far away. I told him about this lovely forum!! Then he told me my symptoms match clicking larynx to a T!…

[Maddy]

Thank you! I just think it’s so odd it started clicking a few days ago causing all this. It had never done this before. I thought about going to the chiropractor to get adjusted to see if it helps. If I lift my head up the clicking goes away but if I slouch is when it starts to do it

[Jules]

I would be very wary of seeing a chiropractor unless they’re experienced with ES & hyoid bone syndrome, which is probably unlikely! If they’re not then they could make things worse…

[a_catindisguise]

@Maddy just so you are aware, my journey with the clicking started a week after I got my neck adjusted for the first time! My surgeon believes that was the catalyst for me. Maybe go with massage therapy instead. That helped to keep me sane until I had my surgery.