Omohyoid Muscle Injection for Omohyoid Syndrome

Indications and Clinical Considerations

Omohyoid syndrome is caused by trauma to the fibers of the inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle. The syndrome is seen most often in patients who have recently experienced a bout of intense vomiting or sustained a flexion–extension injury to the cervical spine and musculature of the anterior neck. Concurrent trauma to the brachial plexus with upper extremity symptomatology also may accompany trauma-induced omohyoid syndrome. The pain of omohyoid syndrome manifests as myofascial pain. It is constant and exacerbated with movement of the affected muscle. A trigger point in the inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle is often present and provides a basis for treatment. The pain starts just above the clavicle at the lateral aspect of the clavicular attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The pain may radiate into the anterolateral neck ( Fig. 16.1 ). Injection of the trigger point in the inferior muscle of the omohyoid muscle with local anesthetic and corticosteroid serves as both a diagnostic and a therapeutic maneuver. Fibrosis of the omohyoid muscle may result in torticollis and tracheal deviation ( Fig. 16.2 ).