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Case Reports
. 2015 Dec;9(4):492-5.
doi: 10.1007/s12105-014-0599-4. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

Eagle's Syndrome

Imad Elimairi  1 , Dale A Baur  2 , Mehmet Ali Altay  3   4 , Faisal A Quereshy  2 , Amritha Minisandram  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Eagle's Syndrome

Imad Elimairi et al. Head Neck Pathol. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Eagle's Syndrome (ES) refers to a symptomatic anomaly due to elongation of the styloid process or mineralization of the styloid complex. If not diagnosed timely and treated properly, elongation of the styloid process or the hyper-mineralization of the stylohyoid ligament may eventually lead to complete ossification of the stylohyoid complex. Non-specific head and neck symptoms of the ES may pose diagnostic challenges to the clinician. Therefore it is crucial to include ES among differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with similar head and neck symptoms. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment plan should be tailored in accordance with the individual requirements of the case and performed without delay. Both pharmacological and surgical methods have been described for the treatment of the patients with ES. However for those who suffer from persistent symptoms, surgical removal of the elongated styloid process is the treatment of choice and can be done with an intraoral or an extraoral approach. The aim of this work is to present unusual clinical symptoms and radiologic findings of ES due to complete ossification of the stylohyoid complex. The importance of a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment are highlighted.

Keywords: Eagle’s Syndrome; Hypoglossal nerve palsy; Ossification; Stylohyoid.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Panoramic radiograph of the patient showing large ossified stylohyoid complex
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sagittal CT view of the head and neck reveals extensively calcified stylohyoid complex
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Three-dimensional CT reconstruction demonstrates complete ossification of the stylohyoid complex extending from the temporal bone to the hyoid bone
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Intraoral view of the patient with marked left sided hemiatrophy and partial deviation of the tongue on the ipsilateral side of the ossified stylohyoid ligament. Note that deviation of the tongue toward the contralateral side of patient’s mouth was not possible
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Intraoperative view following the exposure of the ossified stylohyoid complex
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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