Management of eagle syndrome

Abstract

Purpose of review: Eagle syndrome is a challenging clinical presentation with important potential complications. It can be misdiagnosed due to lack of awareness; this review provides information in terms of diagnosis and management of eagle syndrome.

Recent findings: The importance of early diagnosis of this rare disease is preventing the delay in clinical-surgical treatment. As there is not a universally accepted cut-off for styloid process length, the diagnosis should be confirmed by length of process greater than one-third of the length of mandibular ramus in addition to other clinical symptoms and signs. There are both surgical and pharmacological treatment options for these patients.

Summary: Eagle syndrome is a rare clinical condition and its diagnosis is made by physical examination and radiography. When it is suspected by physical examination, definitive diagnosis is confirmed by computed tomography scans of the skull, as the gold standard. Location, degree of elongation of styloid process, and severity and reproducibility of symptoms are important factors in deciding the most appropriate approach. Surgery is frequently the treatment of choice in Eagle syndrome patients. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis is favourable and recurrence is uncommon.