More about pain in the neck: thyroid cartilage and mastoid process syndromes

Eight patients with cervical pain were examined. The only positive finding was an impressive tenderness over the thyroid cartilage (in seven patients) or over the area of the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the mastoid process (in one patient). The diagnosis of thyroid cartilage syndrome and mastoid process syndrome were suggested and the patients were treated with oral and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which reduced the symptoms. These syndromes are rare. The thyroid cartilage syndrome has been previously reported only once in the literature and this is the first report on the mastoid process syndrome. These syndromes, although rare, should be included in the list of causes for cervical pain and better recognition of the syndromes will save patients from undergoing unnecessary investigation and inappropriate treatment.