Click when swallowing

[blk133]

Hello,

I was wondering if someone could help me.  For a few weeks now I have this click in my throat when I swallow.  Not when I am drinking water or eating, but just during normal swallowing.  It doesn't click when my head is down or up, but it clicks when I am looking straight.  If I put my fingers just above adams apple I can feel a click.

Please help me to identify what it could be.

Thank you,
B

[wildblue98]

For me, the two problems may be related or unrelated: Click swallow has been present all the time since the gastroscopy in early 2007.  
Sensation of something stuck in the lower throat/and or beginning of the oesophagus or trachea occurs intermittently, and can cause periods of debilitating retching and choking.

Clicking in throat is often times accompanied by foriegn body sensation in the same area. This is extensively documented in the medical literature.

[paladinx5]

I have had a throat click for quite some time. its like a clicking sound almost like bones are bumping together it is painless.  I can also swallow and not make the click.  I dont feel anything really.   it has not really bothered me so I have just ignored it.  its almost like I can control whether it clicks or not.   I have a feeling its probably something harmless something with the bones and cartilage of the atoms apple rubbing together

[wildblue98]

There are some abnormalities that can cause "clicking" in the neck and face. One of the most common is temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction. This is a problem of the jaw joint that can cause jaw, ear, and neck pain. From the history given, this is not likely here. The hyoid can also cause a neck click. This was evaluated with a CT that showed normal hyoid anatomy by report. One more cause is the thyroid cartilage (the main cartilage of the larynx) rubbing against the cervical vertebrae. Usually, it is the superior cornu (horn) that rubs against the transverse process of the cervical vertebra. During normal swallow, the larynx is lifted towards the back of the tongue. This is when the "click" happens. It can be hard to detect, especially if not suspected first. The cartilage is hard to see on x-rays (and in swallow studies with fluoroscopy), because it is not usually calcified at it's superior end. It could have been caused by trauma to the larynx. A CT can sometimes show a posteriorly displaced superior cornu. It can be treated by surgically removing the displaced piece of cartilage. An otolaryngologist with interest in swallow dysfunction (sometimes with specific training in laryngology--voice problems) may be able to help. Again, it can be hard to prove that this is what is causing the click. Any surgeon should be cautious about going to surgery without a definitive diagnosis, and the patient must be prepared to have a procedure that may not help the problem.


Michael J Wolfe, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Otolaryngology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati

[nucleardave]

I've had a similar click in the throat when swallowing for almost 20 years now. Over the years I've seen a few different ENTs who have all told me it is nothing to worry about. It still bothers me somewhat, but not as bad as it used to - I think I've gotten used to it, kind of had to.

In my case, it clicks on the left side when I swallow unless I turn my head to the left or tip my head way back - if I turn my head to the right or tip my head down, the click is even worse.

Mine started after I had a really bad sore throat, but who knows, that may have just been a coincidence.

Since I've had it for ~20 years, I know it isn't anything too serious, it hasn't gotten noticeably worse, but I'd still like it to go away.

If anyone else is able to cure this (ideally without surgery) I would be very interested in how (even if it was surgery).

[esssf]

Hi wildblue98, i am having this problem to it is above my adams apple near the top of my throat you can say.

Everytime i swollow this clicking is here and ever since it came i started getting tonsilitus so i went to the ENT and he told me it was probally the tonsils causing it..

Moving on.. he told me to get my tonsils out so i did but the clicing is still here what  can i do about this im getting worried i think theirs something wrong in my throat please get back to me.


By the way ive seen 3 ENT`S and they told me its nothing to worry about but the thing that concerns me is ever since this clicking started i started getting tonsilitis all the time now my tonsils are out its still here (THE CLICKING)

[esssf]

I also forgot to mention when i drink water, etc it doesn`t click but now i am getting worried about this because i no their is somethng wrong COULD SOMEONE REPLY ANY1.