Eagle's syndrome: review of literature and case report

Eagle's Syndrome is caused by an elongated styloid process of the temporal bone or by ossification of the derivations of the second branchial arch. It is a source of craniofacial and cervical pain. Although the incidence of styloid process elongation is fairly common, only a small percentage of the patients exhibit symptoms associated with Eagle's syndrome. Like any other pain in the head and neck region it is an enigma. Eagle's syndrome is one of the glaring examples where the exact etiology eludes from the treating doctor for a long. It is important for the dental practitioner to be aware of this anomaly and its anatomic basis. Unilateral symptoms were present in one case of bilateral elongation.