What is the cause of Eagle syndrome?
Eagle syndrome is due to a calcified stylohyoid ligament or an elongated styloid process. The styloid process is a pointed part of the temporal bone that serves as an anchor point for several muscles associated with the tongue and larynx.
How is elongated styloid process treated?
The most satisfactory and effective treatment is surgical shortening of the styloid process through either an intraoral or external approach. The advantages of an intraoral approach are that it is simple, is less time-consuming, is possible under local anesthesia, and avoids a visible external scar.
What causes calcification of stylohyoid ligament?
Calcified stylohyoid ligaments are thought to be the result of post-tonsillectomy or traumatic scarring. Elongated styloid processes develop from variations in embryological development. A styloid process is typically considered to be long when it is more than 30 mm.
What is elongated styloid process?
The elongated styloid process syndrome, with dull pain in the throat referred to the ear, difficulty in swallowing and sometimes a foreign body sensation in the throat, was first described in patients who had undergone tonsillectomy, in whom the elongated styloid process in combination with scar tissue was considered …
How painful is Eagle syndrome?
The pain caused by Eagle syndrome is a type of nerve pain, which means it is caused by unusual nerve signals, not damage to the painful area. The pain is typically a dull and throbbing ache that may include a feeling that something is stuck in the throat. Some people also experience tinnitus and neck pain.
Is Eagle syndrome rare?
Eagle’s syndrome (ES) is a rare entity that is not commonly suspected in clinical practice. The prevalence of individuals with an elongated styloid process in the adult population is estimated to be 4% with a very small percent of these individuals reported to be symptomatic.
What causes styloid process to grow?
Some people develop a long styloid process after a throat injury or surgery. In others, this is merely an anatomical difference or a change related to age. An elongated styloid process may put pressure on the throat and compress nearby nerves or blood vessels, causing pain.
Where is the pharyngeal recess located in the body?
pharyngeal recess – a small recess in the wall of the pharynx. pharynx, throat – the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone.
Is the pharyngeal space a submucosal space?
First, pathology involving the pharyngeal “mucosal space” is not limited to the mucosa and can be primarily submucosal 5,7.
Where is the pharyngeal and retropharyngeal space located?
pharyngeal mucosal space is located medially, and the retropharyngeal space is located pos- teromedially (Fig. 1). The contents of the pre- styloid compartment include the minor or ectopic salivary gland, branches of the man- dibular division of the trigeminal nerve, inter- nal maxillary artery, ascending pharyngeal
How is the viscerocranium related to the maxilla?
The viscerocranium contains bones and muscles that take part in many important bodily functions, such as chewing, speaking, and breathing. This area contains many important nerves and shields the eyes, brain, and other organs during facial injuries. Many facial muscles are connected to the maxilla on both its inner and outer surfaces.
