The evaluation of the relationship between serum calcium level and stylohyoid length in adults

Elongation and calcification of the stylohyoid apparatus is probably related to Eagle's syndrome and may cause such symptoms as facial pain and dysphagia in patients. In the present study, the relationship between serum calcium level and stylohyoid apparatus length was studied in adults referring to the dental college of Yazd. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study on 50 adult patients above 20 years old (28 men, and 22 women) referring to the radiology ward of the dental college. The stylohyoid ligaments were measured from the base of the skull to the bony tip of each appendix by panoramic radiograph. Mineralization of the ligaments more than 30 mm on the panoramic radiographs was considered abnormal. The serum calcium level of all patients was then measured. Data were analyzed by t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Mean length of the stylohyoid apparatus was 27.36 ± 9.10 mm and was not related to age and sex. An elongation rate of 26% was obtained. The mean serum calcium level was 9.39 ± 0.57 mg/dl and there was not a statistically significant difference in serum calcium level between various age groups and genders. There was no relationship between the length of the stylohyoid apparatus of each side and serum calcium concentrations in different age groups. It appears that the length of the stylohyoid apparatus is not related to serum calcium level within our patient population.