CT findings associated with Eagle syndrome

Abstract

Eagle syndrome is an aggregate of symptoms caused by an elongated ossified styloid process, the cause of which remains unclear. This is a rare finding that often goes undetected in the absence of radiographic studies. In this case, we present the diagnostic CT and lateral view plain film radiography findings of a 39-year-old woman with clinical evidence of Eagle syndrome. Eagle syndrome can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and most frequently results in symptoms of dysphagia, headache, pain on rotation of the neck, pain on extension of the tongue, change in voice, and a sensation of hypersalivation (1, 2). We present rare and diagnostic radiographic evidence of this on both plain film radiographs and CT scans. Although well documented in otolaryngology literature and dentistry literature, this syndrome has not been reported in the radiology literature.

fig 1.

Lateral view plain radiograph of the cervical spine shows a large, heavily ossified structure extending from the base of the skull anterolaterally and caudally to the hyoid bone (small arrows)

fig 2.

Unenhanced high resolution bone window CT scans of the neck show the heavily ossified styloid process in the axial plane. A, Origin is seen just in front of the stylomastoid foramen (arrow). B, Midportion of calcified styloid process, at the widest aspect (arrow), can be seen. C, Distal insertion of the calcified styloid into the anterolateral hyoid bone (arrow) can be seen.