Unilateral Eagle’s Syndrome

Eagle’s syndrome represent as a neck, cervicofacial pain, dysphagia, facial pain, globus sensation, tinnitus, otalgia and headache, it may be unilateral or bilateral. About 4% of adult population accounted elongated styloid process, which are the principal factor of Eagle’s syndrome and followed by 0.16% of patients are symptomatic. Stylohyoid ligament calcification is the second most common factor. The diagnosis must be made through a detailed history, clinical examination, and various imaging modalities. A 36 years old female patient presented with persistent pain in the throat. An elongated styloid process was diagnosed and was removed by transoral approach following the patient was relieved from her symptoms. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2022; 40: 72-74

PROCESSO ESTILOIDE ALONGADO NAS RADIOGRAFIAS PANORÂMICAS EM UMA SUBPOPULAÇÃO

Styloid process elongation associated with symptoms such as cervicofacial pain, tinnitus and otalgia is called Eagle Syndrome. The objective of this study is to assess the presence of elongated styloid process through panoramic radiographs, in a subpopulation of the State of Para, Brazil, as to age and sex. Panoramic radiographs were selected and the apparent size of the styloid process was measured from the point where the styloid leaves the tympanic plate to the lower tip of the process. Data were analyzed by means of chi-square tests and the “t” test with a significance level of 5%. Forty-three percent of all elongated styloid processes were observed in patients aged between 18 and 35 years old. Of these styloid processes measuring more than 30 mm, there were 815 that showed a Type I elongation pattern, being 98 that showed a Type II calcification pattern and 92 showed a Type III calcification pattern. It is concluded that the Type I elongated styloid process was the most frequent, but no statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of the elongated styloid process and the studied variables.

Occurrence of the Elongated Styloid Process on Digital Panoramic Radiographs in the Riyadh Population

Background. Patients with an elongated styloid process might present with dysphagia and pain in the cervicofacial region. These patients could be misdiagnosed as other orofacial pathologies. Aim. The present study attempted to assess the prevalence of the elongated styloid process on digital panoramic radiographs in the Riyadh population. Materials and Methods. The present prospective randomized study was conducted on the panoramic digital radiographs of 300 randomly selected patients visiting a private dental hospital to identify any elongation of the styloid process. Only the radiographs without any magnification errors were considered. The styloid process length was measured using the Sidexis measuring tool and entered in an Excel spreadsheet with other demographic data. A length beyond 30 mm was considered styloid process elongation. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results. The symptoms of styloid process elongation were higher among females (78.6%), and this difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 7.182; P = 0.007 ). No statistically significant association was observed between styloid process elongation and symptoms between different age groups. Females exhibited a significant longer mean length of the styloid process than males. The present study exhibited a 27.3% prevalence for the elongation and calcification of the styloid process. Conclusion. Given the significant prevalence of the elongated styloid process in our study, we recommend it to be considered as one of the differential diagnosis for pain or discomfort in the orofacial region.

Eagle’s Syndrome as a Cause of Discomfort and the Subjective Presence of a Foreign Body in the Throat

Eagle syndrome consists of symptoms resulting from the elongation and excessive calcification of the styloid process of the temporal bone and calcification of the ligaments associated with this process. The main symptoms of this syndrome are the feeling of a foreign body in the throat, dysphagia and pain localized in the temporomandibular region, neck and ear. The authors describe the case report of a previously healthy 39-year-old Caucasian male that complained of discomfort and foreign body sensation in his throat. Computed tomography (CT) showed the presence of an elongated styloid process bilaterally with clear predomination at the left side. The patient underwent laryngological and surgical consultation. Due to the lack of symptoms related to the compression of the carotid arteries, no surgery was recommended. In summary, Eagle’s syndrome is a rare condition characterized by craniofacial pain or foreign body sensation that should be considered, especially if the pain is unilateral. CT imaging in his case was a perfect tool and enabled a suitable diagnosis of this rare syndrome.

Recurrence of internal carotid artery dissection associated with elongated styloid process: A case report

Background: An elongated styloid process is known to cause ischemic stroke. Previous reports claim that internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection due to the elongated styloid process has good outcomes when treated conservatively; however, long-term follow-up has not been attempted and recurrence in the later period has not been reported so far. We report a case of recurrence of symptoms over a decade after the initial onset. Case Description: A 59-year-old man experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) 10 years ago. Six years ago, he experienced hemispheric TIA, and magnetic resonance angiography revealed a diminished signal of the left ICA; however, no further examination was performed. Four years ago, he experienced another transient amaurosis attack and was treated with antiplatelet therapy because no embolic source was detected using ultrasonography examination, and he was diagnosed with idiopathic ICA dissection. Recently, he experienced a third amaurosis fugax attack. Digital subtraction angiography and cone-beam computed tomography demonstrated left cervical ICA dissection due to elongated styloid process. He underwent surgical resection of the left styloid process and cervical stent placement. He had no ischemic attacks postoperatively. Conclusion: The elongated styloid process may cause recurrent ischemic attacks over a decade due to ICA dissection.

Elongated Styloid Process in Panoramic Radiographs

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of the elongated styloid process in panoramic radiographic exams, in a subpopulation of northern Brazil in relation to age, sex and side. Panoramic radiographs were selected, and the apparent size of the styloid process was measured from the point where the styloid leaves the tympanic plate to the tip of the process. The data were analyzed using chi-square tests and variance analysis with a 5% significance level. Approximately 30% of the elongated styloid process was observed in patients between 18 to 35 years. Of the styloid processes that measured more than 30 mm (elongated), 764 styloid processes (81%) showed Type I elongation pattern, 97 styloid processes (10%) showed Type II calcification patterns, and 85 styloid processes (9%) showed Type III calcification patterns. The prevalence of the elongated styloid process was high, and no statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of the elongated styloid process and the variables studied.Keywords: Bone Lengthening. Osteogenesis. Radiography, Panoramic. ResumoO objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a prevalência do processo estilóide alongado em exames radiográficos panorâmicos, em uma subpopulação do norte do Brasil em relação à idade, sexo e lado. Radiografias panorâmicas foram selecionadas, e tamanho aparente do processo estilóide foi medido a partir do ponto em que o estilóide deixa a placa timpânica até a ponta do processo. Os dados foram analisados por meio de testes qui-quadrado e análise de variância com nível de significância de 5%. Aproximadamente 73% do processo estilóide alongado foi observado em pacientes entre 18 e 53 anos (p <0,05). Dos processos estilóides que mediram mais de 30 mm (alongados), 543 processos estiloide (82,9%) mostraram padrão de alongamento do Tipo I, 33 processos estiloide (5,03%) mostraram padrões de calcificação do Tipo II, e 79 processos estilóide (12,06%) mostraram padrões de calcificação do Tipo III. A prevalência do processo estilóide alongado foi alta e não foi encontrada correlação estatisticamente significante entre a presença do processo estilóide alongado e as variáveis estudadas.Palavras-chave: Alongamento Ósseo. Osteogênese. Radiografia Panorâmica.