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Eagle's syndrome (elongated styloid process)
L Balbuena1, D Hayes, S G Ramirez
1Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Tex, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Eagle syndrome, caused by an elongated styloid process, leads to throat and facial pain. Surgical shortening of the styloid process is the primary treatment for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Anatomy
Background:
- Eagle syndrome is characterized by symptoms arising from an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament.
- It commonly presents as recurrent throat pain, foreign body sensation, dysphagia, or facial pain, often radiating to the ear.
Observation:
- The styloid process in adults averages 2.5 cm and is anatomically positioned near critical neurovascular structures.
- Inflammation or impingement on adjacent arteries or nerves by the styloid process can trigger symptoms.
Findings:
- Diagnosis is typically confirmed via physical examination, noting pain exacerbation upon palpation of the styloid process in the tonsillar fossa.
- Symptomatic relief following anesthetic injection in the tonsillar fossa strongly suggests Eagle syndrome.
Implications:
- Radiographic imaging, including skull films, aids in diagnosis.
- Surgical intervention, involving intraoral or external approaches to shorten the styloid process, is the definitive treatment for Eagle syndrome.