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

Incidental findings of a bilateral complete ossification of stylo-hyoid chain and thyro-hyoid ligaments.

Ossification of stylohyoid chain corresponds to the ossification of stylohyoid ligament that can vary from thin short to thick long ossification and can be associated with other calcifications. We report in this case a bilateral non painful complete ossification of the stylohyoid complex extended to the thyrohyoidien ligament.

Failure of OPHL type IIb due to undiagnosed Eagle syndrome

A 52-year-old man with glottic-supraglottic tumour underwent open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL) IIb. On the 12th day postoperative, laryngoscopy showed necrotic tissue at the level of pexy and an increased distance between tongue base and neoglottis; the neck CT showed cricoid arch rupture and rupture of the pexy. By re-examining the preoperative CT images, the ossification of stylohyoid ligament (Eagle syndrome) was detected and supposed as the possible cause of cricoid rupture due to its traction on the hyoid bone and therefore on the pexy. The stylohyoid ligaments were cut at their insertion on the hyoid bone and a tracheohyoidopexy was performed. Two months after surgery, the patient had only some swallowing impairments. This case represents a complication in OPHL II never reported in literature caused by an undiagnosed Eagle syndrome in preoperative, pointing out the importance to search for any anatomical anomaly that could jeopardise the success of the surgery.

Traumatic Events and Eagle Syndrome: Is There Any Correlation? A Systematic Review

Background: Eagle syndrome occurs when elongated styloid process or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament interfere with the surrounding anatomical structures giving rise to various symptoms. Watt W. Eagle identified two types: stylo-hyoid classic syndrome and stylo-carotid artery syndrome. The aim of this systematic review of the literature is to evaluate correlations between Eagle syndrome and traumatic events or teeth extractions. Methods: out of 294 articles, the final study allowed the identification of 13 studies focusing on traumatic events. Out of 342 articles, the final study allowed the analysis of two studies regarding extractive dental events. Results: 13 articles showed correlations between the onset of symptoms in Eagle syndrome and traumatic events and highlighted two possibilities: traumatic event could fracture the already elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament; trauma itself triggers the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to lengthening of styloid process or calcification of stylohyoid ligament and therefore the typical symptoms. The only two case reports concerning Eagle syndrome symptoms after extractive dental events describe the onset of classic type. Conclusions: The analyzed articles confirm correlation between traumatic event and onset of typical symptoms of Eagle syndrome. There is not enough literature linking extractive dental events to Eagle syndrome. Trial registration: CRD42020185176.

Eagle's syndrome: A case report of a 39-year-old male

Ossifying stylohyoid ligament can be seen accidently in panoramic images. Sometimes this status is asymptomatic. However, in the presence of symptoms such as pain in the pharynx, a foreign body sensation, tinnitus or otalgia it is called Eagle’s syndrome. The other symptoms due to the pressure on carotid artery including migraines, aphasia or vertigo and syncope especially in turning head to suffering side may be reported. This case was a thirty-nine-year-old man by thick ossified stylohyoid ligament in both sides along with five pseudoarticles together with a background of head and neckache specially in cold weather.

An overview of Eagle’s syndrome

Eagle’s syndrome is a condition that typically does not present to pain clinics. It consists of an elongated styloid process greater than 25 mm and/or stylohyoid ligament calcification causing an unusual array of symptoms, relating to anatomical involvement. Multiple specialities may be involved with the diagnosis of this rare condition. Three-dimensional reconstructive computed tomographic (CT) scan remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Depending on the presenting symptoms, care should be directed to an appropriate specialist. Pain surrounding Eagle’s syndrome does not typically resolve using simple pharmacological methods. Eagle’s syndrome should remain a diagnosis to be considered when faced with non-resolving head/facial pain.

Styloidectomy: our experience with intraoral approach

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Eagle’s syndrome is a symptom complex arising due to elongated styloid process or calcification of stylohyoid ligament. Surgical treatment is regarded as the foremost option. The study aims to put forth our experience with intraoral approach to styloidectomy in 17 subjects.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective study was conducted between January 2017 to December 2019. The study included 17 subjects with a diagnosis of elongated styloid process. All the subjects underwent styloidectomy by intraoral approach and were followed up.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> In our study, the median age of the study group was 33.76 and out of 17 subjects 13 were female and 4 male. The procedure was done under local anesthesia in 13 subjects and under general anesthesia in 4 subjects. Styloidectomy by intraoral approach was done in all subjects among which 15 were bilateral and 2 unilateral. 88% of the subjects were symptom free by third week.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The study suggests that styloidectomy by intraoral approach is minimally invasive and can be done under local anesthesia with an added advantage of quick recovery.<strong></strong></p>

The Syndrome of Elongated Styloid Process, the Eagle’s Syndrome—From Anatomical, Evolutionary and Embryological Backgrounds to 3D Printing and Personalized Surgery Planning. Report of Five Cases

Background and Objectives: The symptoms of Eagle’s syndrome are associated with the elongated styloid process of the temporal bone or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament. The first mention of pain syndrome associated with the elongated styloid process dates back to 1937, when it was described by Watt Weems Eagle. Over the last decade, experts in the field have shown a lively interest in the issue of the relationship between the elongated styloid process and various symptoms. This article presents the correlation between the clinical signs of Eagle’s syndrome and alterations in surrounding anatomical structures. It includes a brief review of the evolutionary, embryological and clinical anatomical background of the elongated styloid process. Materials and Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, five patients were admitted to our workplace with 1–3-year history of bilateral or unilateral throat pain, otalgia and pharyngeal foreign body sensation. As a therapeutic novelty in the surgical approach to this condition, we used individual 3D printed models to measure and identify the exact location of the resection of the styloid process without damaging the surrounding anatomical structures, such as the facial, accessory, hypoglossal, and vagal nerves; the internal jugular vein; and the internal carotid artery. Results: Compared to traditional surgical methods without 3D models, 3D models helped to better identify cutting edges and major landmarks used in surgical treatment of Eagle’s syndrome. Printed models provided assistance with the exact location of the styloid process resection position without damaging the surrounding anatomical structures such as the facial, accessory, hypoglossal, and vagal nerves; the internal jugular vein; and the internal carotid artery. Conclusion: In our clinical report, we used 3D printed models for navigation and planning during surgical procedures involving resections of the elongated styloid process. Additionally, we can formulate a new hypothesis: the elongated styloid process is a form of atavism of the bony hyoid apparatus in our evolutionary ancestors that is evolutionarily encoded or arises from disrupted degeneration of the middle portion of embryonal Reichert´s cartilage of the second pharyngeal arch. Under normal conditions, this portion does not ossify but degenerates and transforms into a connective tissue band, the future stylohyoid ligament.

Eagle Syndrome- An Entity Often Misdiagnosed

Introduction Throat pain is one of the most common complaints that an otolaryngologist encounters in daily practice, there can be numerous aetiologies to it. Eagle Syndrome is one such entity which is characterized by chronic throat pain due to elongation of the styloid process or mineralization of the stylohyoid ligament. The vague symptomatology of this condition often leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Case Reports We report 5 cases of Eagle Syndrome. All the patients presented to us with complaints of chronic throat radiating to neck which did not relieve on taking medications, for the same they have been consulting multiple specialities. The diagnosis of Eagle Syndrome was confirmed by palpation in tonsillar fossa and orthopantomogram revealed enlarged styloid process measuring more than 30mm. Upon confirmation, all the 5 patients underwent tonsillo-styloidectomy and on consequent follow ups, they were symptomatically improved. Discussion Eagle Syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion and should raise high index of suspicion in patients with nonspecific throat and neck pain not responding to any conservative treatment. With an increasing incidence of side effects following injudicious treatment given in such cases, this condition requires attention, as it a rare entity and often misdiagnosed.