Eagle’s Syndrome: Our Current Experience of the Disease and Literature Review

Abstract

Eagle's syndrome is a disease caused by an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament. Eagle defined the disorder in 1937 by describing clinical findings related to an elongated styloid process, which is one of the numerous causes of pain in the craniofacial and cervical region. These symptoms can mislead the otolaryngologist in diagnosing the condition. The prevalence of individuals with this anatomic abnormality in the adult population is estimated to be 4% with 0.16% of these individuals reported to be symptomatic. Radiological examinations are useful to make the accurate diagnosis. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT Scan) is the most valuable diagnostic tool. Patients with increased symptom severity require surgical excision of the styloid process styloidectomy, which can be performed through an intraoral approach.

Elongated styloid process syndrome with prolongation of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage: A case report

“…The styloid process arises embryonically from the Reichert cartilage of the second branchial arch [6] . The syndrome is more frequent in women than in men, and it usually occurs in patients 30 years and older [7] , [8] . According to Eagle, 4% of the human population has an elongated styloid process, and only 4% of the above traits present with multiple symptoms [1] , [9] .…”