Isolated hyoid bone fracture. Review of an unusual entity.

Fractures of hyoid bone resulting from trauma other than strangulation are very rare, isolated hyoid bone fractures are even rarer, and occur more frequently in young individuals, and in men more than in women. A comprehensive review of the world literature, also two rare cases of isolated hyoid bone fractures induced by direct trauma onto the anterior neck are presented. Additionally, a table summarizing 31 cases from 1954 to 2003, is included. Mechanism of injury, diagnosis, complications, prognosis, and treatment are discussed.