A study on the frequency of elongated styloid process and eagle's syndrome among patients admitted to Guilan dental school clinic (2005-2006)

The length of styloid process usually varies from 20 to 30 mm. This process along with its attached ligaments is prone to mineralization. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of elongated styloid process (ESP) and Eagle’s syndrome on panoramic view X-rays.Method and materials: This descriptive - cross sectional study was performed on 618 radiographs (387 females and 231 males ranging from 11 to 75 years old) were included. The length of styloid process in each patient was measured with Planmeca ruler. Other necessary information such as age, sex, involved side, type of ossification, history of cervicopharyngeal trauma and the presence of relevant symptoms were also asked and recorded on each patient's file. Lengths equal to or greater than 30mm were consider as ESP. Data analysis was performed via Pearson, Chi-square and T tests.(α = 0.05) Mean lengths in males and females were 28.95mm and 26.82 mm respectively. ESP was confirmed in 225 patients (36.4%). The prevalence of ESP was 43% in males and 32.5% in the female patients (P value < 0.05). ESP was seen with older ages. Bilateral involvement was more common than the unilateral form. Type (I) was the most frequent ossification type (81.1%). The frequency of symptomatic ESP (Eagle’s syndrome) was 1.2%. Among all the included cases, painful swallow was reported as the most common symptom. This study showed that symptomatic ESP is not so common. It is recommended that clinicians consider the possibility of elongated styloid process in patients with chronic maxillofacial pain.