Evaluation of styloid process by three-dimensional computed tomography

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the length, medial angulations and other structural variants of the styloid process (SP) by three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) in patients without any complaints related to elongated SP. We performed temporal computed tomography (CT) scans in 138 cases (87 males, 51 females) with a mean age of 34.5 (17-86). The structure, length and medial angulation of SPs were evaluated on 3D reconstructed images. SP lengths varied between 1.58 and 5.48 cm (average length 2.83 cm), and the angles varied between 60.6 and 84.1 degrees (average angle 69.4 degrees). Other morphological findings were absence of SP (3 unilateral and 1 bilateral), ossification of stylohyoid ligament (9 unilateral and 27 bilateral), irregular SP (5 unilateral and 5 bilateral), fragmentation of SP (12 unilateral and 9 bilateral), absence of the proximal part (5 unilateral and 9 bilateral) and double proximal part (1 unilateral). According to our results, we propose a new classification. Absence of SP, absence of the proximal part of SP, duplication of the proximal part of SP and angle values of SP have never been reported before according to the available medical literature. 3D CT is an effective method in the evaluation of the SP length, angulations and other morphological characteristics.

Assessment of the Styloid Process by Cone Beam Computed Tomography

“…In a study by Ramadan et al it was seen that the MLA was 67-76 [17] and in a study by Basekin et al [23] it was 65-75 [23] which is in close proximity to the present study. Length and MLA also showed no correlation with the length of SHC.…”

A 3D cone beam computed tomography study of the styloid process of the temporal bone

“…It has been previously proven that 3D CT is an effective method in the evaluation of SP length, angulation, and other morphological characteristics [3,24]. However, the usual CT tools, such as MPRs, should not be ignored, but used and presented complementarily.…”

“…Using only 3D CT tools could lead to misdiagnoses (e.g. false SP: a prominent angle of the SP sheath can be easily confused with a duplicated SP [3]). …”

Radiological evaluation of the styloid process length in the normal population

“…In many studies [1,6,13,22], different cut-off values have been determined for Eagle's syndrome. Eagle [6] found that the cut-off value was 25 mm, Basekim et al [1] accepted that it was 40 mm, Jung et al [13] determined a limit value of 45 mm and Ramadan et al [22] recommended that any measurements above 30 mm be described as elongated SP.…”

“…Eagle [6] found that the cut-off value was 25 mm, Basekim et al [1] accepted that it was 40 mm, Jung et al [13] determined a limit value of 45 mm and Ramadan et al [22] recommended that any measurements above 30 mm be described as elongated SP. In a study by Ekici et al [9] the mean SP length was found to be longer in males than in females (33.2 ± ± 13.2 vs. 29.6 ± 10.5 mm, p < 0.001).…”