A new and clinically symptomatic variant of thyroid cartilage anatomy.

We present a previously undescribed variation in the anatomy of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. In the five cases described, the tip of the cornu turned medially and caused an indentation into the pharynx. These indentations were symptomatic and caused pain and globus sensation. Resection of them led to resolution of the symptoms. A survey of the incidence of this variation of the thyroid cartilage in a clinic population is presented. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.