Does Transcervical Styloidectomy for Eagle Syndrome Improve Quality of Life?

Eagle syndrome is an uncommon disorder that significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of patients. No formal QoL study has been carried out on a population of Eagle syndrome patients treated via transcervical approach. We aim to evaluate and analyze the outcomes of the patients with Eagle syndrome treated with transcervical styloidectomy via our modified QoL survey.

A retrospective cohort study was utilized for patients with Eagle syndrome who underwent transcervical styloidectomy at our institution from January 2008 until December 2018. Two QoL surveys were sent to subjects. Patients were asked preoperatively and postoperatively about the presence and intensity of pain, alteration of speech, diet or chewing, limitations of daily activity, mobility or recreation, and the presence of anxiety or mood disturbances related to the disease. The styloid length on preoperative computed tomography scans and the length of the surgical specimen were obtained, and correlations with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were analyzed. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to determine numerical correlation. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

The study sample comprised 10 patients with Eagle syndrome who underwent transcervical styloidectomy. Eight patients underwent unilateral styloidectomy, and 2 patients were bilateral. Most patients were female (80%) with a mean age of 46.0. Preoperative NPRS score averaged 5.5 ± 2.7 (range 1 to 10) and postoperative NPRS was 2.1 ± 1.4 (range 0 to 4) (P = .008). No correlation was found between preoperative or postoperative NRPS score and preoperative styloid length and length of styloid resected. QoL survey showed a significant improvement in neck mobility and the anxiety felt by the patients. The survey showed that all patients would recommend surgery to a friend or family member with similar symptoms. Seven patients (70%) would recommend the operation as primary treatment, and the rest would recommend it after conservative options fail.

Transcervical styloidectomy was associated with a statistically significant decrease in NPRS and positive QoL changes for patients operated for Eagle syndrome at our institution.