Thyroid cartilage compression causing stroke: Thyroid Cartilage Compression Causing Stroke

We describe the diagnostic workup and surgical treatment of a patient presenting with the unique case of vertebral artery (VA) occlusion subsequent to head flexion leading to compression of an aberrant VA by the ipsilateral superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. Imaging revealed ischemic infarcts as well as the presence of an aberrant right VA, which was compressed by the ipsilateral superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage upon neck flexion. The patient was managed with laryngoplasty involving removal of the right superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. Laryngoscope, 129:E445-E448, 2019.