Osteoma of the hyoid: an unusual cause of a neck lump

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Aug 30:2017:bcr2017221326. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221326.

Abstract

A 65-year-old man with a 2-month history of left-sided neck swelling presented through the cancer pathway. There was no associated 'red flag' symptoms, and clinical examination revealed a left anterior triangle, non-pulsatile firm swelling atypical of a lymph node. Ultrasound scan imaging confirmed a complex structure with an echogenic centre and hypoechoic periphery, which was confirmed on CT as an osteoma of the hyoid.This is an extremely unusual cause of a neck lump, and an extensive literature review revealed only two previously documented cases.

Keywords: ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; head and neck cancer; otolaryngology/ent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hyoid Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Hyoid Bone / pathology*
  • Male
  • Neck / diagnostic imaging
  • Neck / pathology*
  • Osteoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteoma / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography