Paratonsilar Approach to Styloid Process in Eagle's Syndrome-A Retrospective Analysis

Eagle's syndrome, defined by Eagle in 1949, is characterised by morphological abnormality/ossification of the styloid process. Traditionally styloid process is approached after tonsillectomy or through an invasive external cervical approach. In the present study we propose a novel Paratonsillar approach for elongated styloid process in eagle's syndrome. The study was retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who underwent styloid process excision through paratonsillar approach over 2 years period. The present study included 26 patients who underwent paratonsillar styloid process excision. Elongated styloid process was mostly prevalent in the middle age group 30-50 years constituting 73% of patients included in our study. 65% patients had symptomatic elongated on the right side and 35% had on left side. In 62% patients the procedure was over in 15-30 min. There was no documented post operative complication. Paratonsillar approach for styloid process excision is a safe, minimally invasive, day care procedure with almost no postoperative complications.