I. Stylohyoid chain ossification: a discussion of etiology

Not all patients with cervicopharyngeal pain related to the stylohyoid apparatus can be diagnosed as having Eagle's syndrome. An attempt is therefore made to classify these patients according to etiology. First, a diagnosis of Eagle's syndrome is applied to symptomatic patients in whom elongated, ossified styloid processes develop within a period of time posttraumatically. Second, a diagnosis of stylohyoid syndrome is applied to patients in whom elongated styloid processes and/or stylohyoid chain ossification develop early in life as an anatomic anomaly, and in whom symptoms later develop. Last, a diagnosis of pseudostylohyoid syndrome is applied to patients in whom, because of aging, a tendinosis at the junction of the stylohyoid ligament and the lesser horn of the hyoid bone develops. It is hoped that such a simplified classification may lead to a global understanding of the causes of such symptomatology, a more practical approach to treatment, and less confusion among the professions in regard to terminology.