Transoral surgical resection of bilateral styloid processes elongation (eagle's syndrome)

Abstract

Eagle's syndrome represents a symptomatic styloid process elongation or calcification of stylohyoid or stylomandibular ligament. The symptoms include the throat pain radiating to ipsilateral ear or foreign body sensation in the pharynx causing odynophagia and dysphagia. It is commonly unilateral and bilateral cases are rare. We report a case of bilateral elongation of styloid processes treated surgically by transoral approach.

Keywords: Eagle’s syndrome; elongated styloid process; neck pain..

Figure 1

Image of 3D reconstruction of styloid processes showing both styloid processes of the patient to be elongated and pointing medially, 1(a) left styloid process (5cm long) and 1(b) Right styloid process (3 cm long).

Figure 2

Shortening of both styloid processes of the patient performed via transoral approach , 2(a) skeletonizing of left styloid process, 2(b) part of left styloid process (upper bony specimen) and right styloid process (lower bony specimen) that had been resected.