Cone-beam computed tomographic evaluation of styloid process: a retrospective study of 208 patients with orofacial pain

Abstract

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to assess the structural characteristics of styloid process (SP) by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination in a patient population suffering from orofacial pain. The second aim was to assess the prevalence of elongated SP and its relation to gender, site and subjective symptoms in the study population.MethodsClinical and radiographic records of 208 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Radiological examinations including measurements of the structure, length, and medial angulations of SP were performed on CBCT images.ResultsOut of 208 patients, 96 (46%) had not-elongated SP, 28 (13%) had left side, 16 (8%) had right side, and 68 (33%) had bilateral elongation of SP. The patients with elongated SP had significantly decreased angle values. There were no statistically significant differences in length values of SP between males and females in both groups. Significantly increased prevalence of symptoms except headache was observed in patients with elongated SP.ConclusionsThis study presents the CBCT as an alternative method to CT or panoramic radiographs for the measurement and the assessment of the styloid process. Patients suffering from orofacial pain, who also had elongated SP, had increased rate of corresponding neurological complaints compared with non-elongated ones.

Prevalence and pattern of the elongated styloid process among geriatric patients in Saudi Arabia

“…Stylopharyngeus, stylohyoid, styloglossus muscles, stylohyoid and stylomandibular ligaments are attached to the styloid process 2. The length of the styloid process is reported to range between 15.2 mm and 47.7 mm,3 and various authors have observed that the normal length of the styloid process is between 20 mm and 30 mm,3–9 with length >30 mm regarded as elongated 2–4,7–13. This elongation of the styloid process or calcification of ligaments, which is the cause of the stylohyoid syndrome or Eagle syndrome, was first reported by the otorhinolaryngologist Eagle 14…”

“…The etiology of the elongation of the styloid process is not yet exactly determined, but the congenital elongation of the styloid process, calcification of the stylohyoid ligament and growth of osseous tissue where the stylohyoid ligament inserts are regarded as few of the causative factors 16,17. Radiographic studies report the prevalence of the elongated styloid process from 2% to 30% 2,6,9,18,19. Elongation may be seen in both sexes, unilaterally or bilaterally and more commonly in elderly individuals 15.…”

Bruxi̇sm’i̇ Olan Hastalarda Styloi̇d Process Uzunluğunun Değerlendi̇ri̇lmesi̇

“…Eagle sendromu SP'in uzaması, deforme olması veya styloid ligamentin kalsifiye olması sonucu oluşan bir hastalıktır [7][8][9][10][11] .…”

Bruxi̇sm’i̇ Olan Hastalarda Styloi̇d Process Uzunluğunun Değerlendi̇ri̇lmesi̇

“…Eagle sendromu SP'in uzaması, deforme olması veya styloid ligamentin kalsifiye olması sonucu oluşan bir hastalıktır [7][8][9][10][11] . Boğaz ağrısı, kulak ağrısı, ses değişikliği, baş boyun ağrıları, Eagle sendromunun en çok görülen belirtileridir 12,13 .…”