[Function of three-dimensional reconstruction of CT scan to the operation of eagle syndrome]

To investigate the guiding function of three-dimensional CT scan in the operation of eagle syndrome.

There were 48 cases of eagle syndrome hospitalized during July 2006 to June 2010 who underwent both three-dimensional reconstruction of CT scan and adem position and lateral X ray film. The images were measured by specialist of radiology department.

The detail of styloid process is showed more precisely by three-dimensional CT scan, which is able to determine the existence of interrupt, decline, ossification in styloid process. There was significant difference in the measured value (20.83%) between X ray and CT scan (4.16 ± 1.27)cm vs (3.11 ± 0.62)cm, P < 0.05, in 10 cases. We could not touch styloid process in oral approach in 6 cases (12. 5%), which also had diagnostic confliction between X ray and three-dimensional CT scan. Five patients whose styloid process could not be touched during surgery had longer operation time than the other 41 patients.

Three-dimensional CT has good repeatability, high detailed distinguishability, which is an important basis to diagnose eagle syndrome. When X ray shows prolonged styloid process which can not be palpable in oral, we suggest further three-dimensional CT to avoid unnecessary surgery.