[Bilateral hypopharyngocele]

Abstract

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.