Eagle's syndrome : an unusual cause of recurrent retro mandibular pain case report

Abstract AR

Eagle`s syndrome occurs when an elongated styloid process or calcified styolhyoid ligament causes recurrent throat pain radiating to the ipsilateral ear or retromandibular neck pain.

Such symptoms easily confused with those caused by different facial neuralgias.

Diagnosis usually made on physical examination by palpation of the styloid process on the tonsillar fossa.

Computed tomography (CT) scan provides complementary information to that of plain radiography, including definition and relationship of the elongated styloid process to the surrounding soft tissue structures in the axial plane.

Treatment is usually surgical with resection of the elongated part of the styloid process through trans-oral or external approach.

We reported a case of 38-yearold male who presented to otolaryngology clinic with physical examination and radiological findings typical for Eagle' syndrome.

Operation was done by consultant otolaryngologist who resected the elongated part successfully via trans-oral approach without complications.

The patient was completely asymptomatic at follow up visit six months postoperatively.

Awareness of Eagle`s syndrome is important to all health practitioners involved in the diagnosis and management of neck and head pain because it can be confused with many other conditions that must be excluded.