Chronically misdiagnosed Eagle's syndrome, treated through transoral styloidectomy: a rare case report

The stylohyoid ligament begins when the styloid process extends from the petrous temporal bone in a thin bony protrusion. Eagle's syndrome (ES) is a condition related to either calcification of the calcifying the stylohyoid ligament or elongating styloid process The incidence of symptomatic ES is 0.16%, and it is more common in women. The reported study diagnosed ES and treated it surgically through transoral approach styloidectomy.

A 39-year-old man who is a farmer and a driver was presented with complaints of ongoing, excruciating discomfort in the back of his left ear. Before the exam, he took a variety of drugs, various drugs 2 years without receiving a definitive diagnosis. Axial, coronal, and sagittal computed tomography scans of both petrous bones were analyzed, and the results showed aberrant styloid process elongation and calcification of the stylohyoid ligament.

ES, shares many symptoms with other regional illnesses. Physicians frequently misdiagnose cases of ES and treat them without providing a conclusive diagnosis or treatment.

ES diagnosis can be difficult for otolaryngologists and primary care providers due to its similarity with other regional illnesses. However, surgical intervention can result in consistent and significant symptomatic improvement when correctly diagnosed. The case presented in the report was successfully diagnosed as ES and treated surgically through transoral approach styloidectomy.