Elongated Styloid Process: A Morphometric Study, with Radiological Evaluation in Dry Human Skulls, with its Clinical Implications

AbstractThe normal length of the styloid process is 20-25 mms. A diagnosis of Eagle's syndrome is made when the styloid process measures more than 30 mms.The symptomatology associated with an elongated styloid process is called Eagle's syndrome. Abnormal elongation of styloid process causes compression of important neurovascular structures situated in close relation to it resulting in chronic neck pain, referred pain to the ear, jaw and orbit, and globus hystericus. We report here two cases of elongated styloid processes found during our routine osteology demonstrations. The etiopathogenesis and clinical implications of an elongated styloid process are discussed.

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Morphometric Study of a Huge Elongated Styloid Process

The Kurume Medical Journal ◽

10.2739/kurumemedj.ms6300012 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 63 (1.2) ◽

pp. 45-48

Author(s):

JOE IWANAGA ◽

KOICHI WATANABE ◽

TSUYOSHI SAGA ◽

YOKO TABIRA ◽

KOH-ICHI YAMAKI

Keyword(s):

Styloid Process ◽

Morphometric Study ◽

Elongated Styloid Process

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Clinicoradiologic Evaluation of Eagle’s Syndrome and its Management

Kathmandu University Medical Journal ◽

10.3126/kumj.v11i4.12527 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 305-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M Pokharel ◽

S Karki ◽

I Shrestha ◽

BL Shrestha ◽

K Khanal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ct Scan ◽

Styloid Process ◽

History Taking ◽

3D Ct ◽

Ct Reconstruction ◽

Eagle’S Syndrome ◽

Elongated Styloid Process ◽

Intraoral Approach ◽

3D Ct Scan ◽

Significant Difference

Background Eagle’s syndrome (Elongated styloid process) is often misdiagnosed due to its vague symptomatology. The diagnosis relies on detail history taking, palpation of styloid process in tonsillar fossa and imaging modalities.Objective To assess the length and medial angulation of elongated styloid process with the help of three dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scan and to describe our clinical and surgical experience with patients suffering from Eagle’s syndrome.Method Prospective, analytical study conducted from August 2011 to August 2012 among 39 patients with Eagle’s syndrome. Detailed history taking, clinical examination and 3D CT scan was performed. Length and medial angulation was calculated. Patients with styloid process length longer than 2.50 cm underwent surgical excision via intraoral approach. Medial angulation of styloid process on both sides was correlated with each other using rank correlation coefficient. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was applied to test significant difference between pre-operative and post-operative symptoms scores.Result Significant positive correlation was found between the medial angulation of styloid process on right side and left side (? =0.81, p<0.001). Significant difference was also observed between pre and post-operative symptoms scores (z=-5.16, p<0.001) .Conclusion Possibility of Eagle’s syndrome should always be considered while examining patients with vague neck pain. 3D CT reconstruction is a gold standard investigation which helps in studying the relation of styloid process with surrounding structures along with accurate measurement of its length and medial angulation.Kathmandu Univ Med J 2013; 11(4): 305-309

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Carotid artery dissection due to elongated styloid process

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.53.8.1886 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 1886-1886 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

M. Zuber ◽

J. F. Meder ◽

J. L. Mas

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Styloid Process ◽

Carotid Artery Dissection ◽

Artery Dissection ◽

Elongated Styloid Process

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Styloid process elongation and calcification in subjects with tmd: clinical and radiographic aspects

Brazilian Dental Journal ◽

10.1590/s0103-64402012000400023 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 443-450 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Kelly Machado de Andrade ◽

Carolina Almeida Rodrigues ◽

Plauto C. Aranha Watanabe ◽

Marcelo Oliveira Mazzetto

Keyword(s):

Orofacial Pain ◽

Panoramic Radiograph ◽

Styloid Process ◽

Eagle’S Syndrome ◽

Linear Measurements ◽

Panoramic Radiographs ◽

Elongated Styloid Process ◽

Cephalometric Radiograph ◽

Lateral Cephalometric Radiograph ◽

Process Length

Knowledge of the Eagle's syndrome shows that its symptoms can be very easily confused with other types of craniomandibular disorders, especially temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The aim of this study was to find a possible correlation between the presence of TMD and elongation of the styloid process as well relate to presence of calcification of the stilohyoid chain. Fifty patients with TMD, confirmed from the RDC/TMD, were examined clinically and radiographically. Radiographic documentation consisted of digital panoramic radiograph and digital lateral cephalometric radiograph. Radiocef software (Radiomemory) was used for the analysis of radiographs by means of specific cephalometric tracing and linear measurements of the styloid process. Each radiograph was traced and measured three times with intervals of 1 month to spread the error. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's test (p=0.001) using Biostat 4.0 statistical software. Result showed an incidence of 76% elongation of the styloid process in the sample. There was a correlation between the bilateral measures taken in panoramic radiographs (?<0.001) and also for measures of styloid process length carried out in different panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalometric radiographs (?<0.001). It was concluded that there is prevalence of elongated styloid process in patients with TMD. However, no relationship was found between measurements on the stylohyoid chain and symptoms of headache, orofacial pain, tinnitus and vertigo.

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