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[Bilateral hypopharyngocele]
F Perottino1, M Bouchene, M Poupart
1Centre hospitalier des Escartons, 05100 Briançon, France.
Insights
Bilateral hypopharyngocele in a trumpet player was successfully managed conservatively. Treatment involved antireflux medication and improved playing techniques, resolving symptoms and improving sound quality.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Imaging
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Pharyngoceles are rare outpouchings of the pharyngeal wall.
- Bilateral hypopharyngocele can present with subtle symptoms, potentially leading to misdiagnosis.
- Professional musicians, particularly wind instrument players, may be at risk due to specific playing techniques.
Observation:
- A professional trumpet player presented with dysphonia and cervical pain during performance.
- Computed Tomography (CT) revealed an asymmetric bilateral hypopharyngocele without other significant findings.
- Symptoms were mild, and the patient's professional context was a key consideration in management.
Findings:
- A conservative management approach was effective for this case of bilateral hypopharyngocele.
- Treatment included antireflux medication and targeted instruction to modify trumpet playing technique.
- The patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms and improved sound production after 6 months.
Implications:
- Conservative management, including medication and specialized therapy, can be successful for professional musicians with pharyngocele.
- Early diagnosis and tailored interventions are crucial for managing rare conditions like hypopharyngocele in performers.
- This case highlights the importance of considering occupational factors in the diagnosis and treatment of pharyngeal abnormalities.
Objective:
Describe the management of bilateral hypopharyngocele in a trumpet player.
Material And Method:
Case report of a professional trumpet player suffering from bilateral hypopharyngocele.
Results:
A professional trumpet player was referred for an ORL consultation after he noticed that a bad sound was produced while he was playing associated with cervical pain. A CT scan demonstrated an asymmetric bilateral hypopharyngocele with no other abnormality. Because of the mild symptoms and the professional context, a successful conservative approach was used with antireflux medications. He was advised to seek professional instruction in order to improve his technique. On follow-up examination 6 months later, he had had no further problems since adopting the corrected techniques.
Conclusion:
Pharyngoceles are rare and easily misdiagnosed. Because of the mild symptoms and the professional context, a conservative medical approach should be proposed (antireflux medications) combined with specific orthophonic and physical therapy to modify breathing and trumpet playing techniques.
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