Comparative panoramic study of the elongated styloid process between male and female , their possible associations with age and Eagle’s syndrome symptoms in Iraqi dentulous subjects

Abstract

Background : The stylohyoid process is a cylindrical bony structure surrounded byimportant anatomical structures including vessels and nerves. Calcification andelongation of the stylohyoid ligament complex over 30 mm may be associatedwith neck and facial pain, known as Eagle’s syndrome . The aims of the studywere to compare the elongated styloid process between male and female , theirpossible relations with age and Eagle’s syndrome symptoms in Iraqi dentulouspopulation using panoramic radiographs .Materials and methods : Clinical and radiographical records of 70 patients (40female and 30 male). The length of the styloid processes were assessed usingpanoramic radiographs . Measurements of the length of the styloid processes weremade directly from its insertion site to the petrous part of the temporal bone to itstip.Results : There was highly statistically significant difference between male andfemale for right side and left side of the styloid process length p-value <0.01. Chisquarebetween present of symptoms and styloid process length of age showedstatistically non-significant difference.Conclusion : Panoramic radiography is useful tool for detection of an elongatedstyloid process in patients with or without symptoms and can thus help avoidmisinterpretation of the symptoms.