Eagle's syndrome - A report of two cases

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Eagle's syndrome involves styloid process elongation or stylohyoid ligament mineralization, causing facial and throat pain.
• Symptoms include dysphagia, odynophagia, foreign body sensation, otalgia, and neck pain.
• This rare condition is often underdiagnosed and debated regarding pathogenesis and treatment.

Observation:

• Two male patients, aged 49 and 34, presented with unilateral and bilateral elongated styloid processes.
• Surgical interventions included intraoral styloidectomy for the first case and extraoral styloidectomy for the second.
• Both patients experienced regular postoperative courses without complications.

Findings:

• Surgical techniques for Eagle's syndrome present distinct advantages and disadvantages.
• The choice of surgical approach (intraoral vs. extraoral) is influenced by the degree of styloid process elongation or ligament calcification.

Implications:

• This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate surgical techniques based on anatomical parameters.
• Further research into the pathogenesis and comparative efficacy of surgical approaches for Eagle's syndrome is warranted.
• Accurate diagnosis and tailored surgical intervention can effectively manage Eagle's syndrome symptoms.