Eagle syndrome- An underdiagnosed diagnosis

Abstract

Eagle syndrome occurs when an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament causes recurrent throat pain or foreign body sensation, dysphagia, or facial pain. Diagnosis is usually made on physical examination by digital palpation of styloid process in tonsillar fossa.To study the significance of chronic throat pain and elongated styloid process. 60 patients with chronic throat pain (excluding other causes) were assessed by palpation of styloid process was recorded according to age, gender of patients. The prevalence of elongated styloid process in age groups and gender determined correlation and significance of chronic throat pain, along with palpable styloid process in tonsillar fossa and length of styloid process in tonsillar fossa and length of styloid process was determined..The maximum number of patients having chronic throat pain were between 40-49 years age group. The male to female ratio was 0.62:1. The prevalence of elongated styloid process was seen more in 50-70 years of age. There was a higher prevalence of elongated styloid process with moderate to severe pain. 76% patients with elongated styloid process had tonsillar fossa tenderness. 96.4% of patients with elongated styloid process had palpable styloid process in tonsillar fossa. There is a significant correlation between patients having chronic throat pain and elongated styloid process. X ray Skull-Towne’s view is very cost effective as a baseline radiological investigation to diagnose elongated styloid process in patients with chronic throat pain for which cause is unknown.