Styloid Process; Correlation Between Symptoms, Palpability and Measurements on Three Dimensional Computed Tomography

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• The styloid process is an osseous projection from the temporal bone anchoring muscles of the tongue and larynx.
• Elongation of the styloid process can lead to Eagle syndrome, causing cervicofacial pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and compare the length and angles of the styloid process in patients with unilateral symptomatic Eagle syndrome.
• To evaluate the correlation between styloid process dimensions and symptoms using 3D-CT.

Main Methods:

• 3D-CT face reconstructions were performed on 35 patients (17 female, 18 male; age 25-69).
• Measurements included styloid process length and transverse/sagittal angles using 3D and multiplanar reconstructions.

Main Results:

• The symptomatic side showed a significantly longer styloid process (mean 33.61 mm) compared to the asymptomatic side (mean 31.11 mm).
• No statistically significant differences were found in transverse or sagittal angulation between symptomatic and asymptomatic sides.
• Five patients with asymptomatic sides also had palpable styloid processes, suggesting length alone may not always cause symptoms.

Conclusions:

• A longer styloid process length is statistically correlated with symptoms of Eagle syndrome.
• 3D-CT is an effective diagnostic tool for evaluating cervicofacial pain and diagnosing Eagle syndrome.
• Patients with cervicofacial pain should be assessed for Eagle syndrome via palpation and 3D-CT.