The styloid process syndrome: Aetiological factors and surgical management

Moffat, David A.; Ramsden, R. T.; Shaw, H. J.

doi:10.1017/s0022215100083699

Cited by 119 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Piertro Marchetti first described clinical symptoms related to an elongated SP [16,17]. However, Eagle primarily explained the clinical features which occur patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiological evaluation of the styloid process length in the normal population

et al. 2013

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“…Piertro Marchetti first described clinical symptoms related to an elongated SP [16,17]. However, Eagle primarily explained the clinical features which occur patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiological evaluation of the styloid process length in the normal population

et al. 2013

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“…In 1652, an Italian surgeon named Piertro Marchetti first described clinical symptoms (intermittent respiratory distress) associated with an elongated styloid process [46,52]. The definitive syndrome, however, was established by Watt W. Eagle in the late 1940s and early 1950s.…”

Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eagle’s syndrome: embryology, anatomy, and clinical management

2012

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Background Eagle's syndrome refers to a rare constellation of neuropathic and vascular occlusive symptoms caused by pathologic elongation or angulation of the styloid process and styloid chain. First described in 1652 by Italian surgeon Piertro Marchetti, the clinical syndrome was definitively outlined by Watt Eagle in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Methods This article reviews how underlying embryologic and anatomic pathology predicts clinical symptomatology, diagnosis, and ultimately treatment of the syndrome. Results The length and direction of the styloid process and styloid chain are highly variable. This variability leads to a wide range of relationships between the chain and the neurovascular elements of the neck, including cranial nerves 5, 7, 9, and 10 and the internal carotid artery. In the classic type of Eagle's syndrome, compressive cranial neuropathy most commonly leads to the sensation of a foreign body in the throat, odynophagia, and dysphagia. In the carotid type, compression over the internal carotid artery can cause pain in the parietal region of the skull or in the superior periorbital region, among other symptoms. Conclusions Careful recording of the history of the present illness and review of systems is crucial to the diagnosis of Eagle's syndrome. After the clinical examination, the optimal imaging modality for styloid process pathology is spiral CT of the neck and skull base. Surgical interventions are considered only after noninvasive therapies have failed, the two most common being intraoral and external resection of the styloid process. Embryology and phylogenyThe embryologic history of the styloid process, stylohyoid ligament, and hyoid bone is a subject of debate. Revilla and Stuyt [69] suggest that the styloid process, stylohyoid ligament, and lesser cornu of the hyoid bone develop from endochondral ossification of Reichert's cartilage, the cartilaginous component of the second branchial arch. They assert that after 3 months of fetal life, Reichert's cartilage is disrupted and divided into five distinct components (from proximal to distal): tympanohyal, stylohyal, ceratohyal, hypohyal, and basyhyal [58,69]. The tympanohyal component contributes to the tympanic bone and the base of the styloid process. The stylohyal component contributes to the majority of the styloid process, and the hypohyal and basyhyal components contribute to the hyoid bone. In many animals the ceratohyal component ultimately becomes the epihyoid bone. In humans, Revilla and Stuyt [69] contend that it degenerates to form the stylohyoid ligament.In contrast, during their detailed description of Reichert's cartilage in 50 human embryos and fetuses, RodriguezVazquez et al. [72] suggested that the second branchial arch cartilage is formed in two distinct segments separated by mesenchymal tissue. The proximal and larger segment is continuous with the otic capsule and becomes the styloid process. The smaller and more distal component forms the

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“…The related painful syndrome was first described in 1870 by Lücke and in 1872, in Vienna. Weinlechner surgically excised the styloid process in order to treat symptoms (Moffat et al, 1977;Balbuena et al, 1997). Several sporadic reports followed, however, it was Eagle who provided a comprehensive description of the syndrome for the first time in 1937 (Eagle, Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eagle's syndrome: A review of the literature

et al. 2009

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Eagle's syndrome represents symptoms brought on by compression of regional structures by elongation of the styloid process or ossification of the stylohyoid or stylomandibular ligaments. Watt Eagle described it for the first time in 1937, dividing it into two subtypes: the "classic syndrome" and the "stylo-carotid artery syndrome." Many theories have been put forth regarding its pathogenesis. Depending on the underlying pathogenetic mechanism and the anatomical structures compressed or irritated by the styloid process, symptoms vary greatly, ranging from cervicofacial pain to cerebral ischemia. The syndrome generally follows tonsillectomy or trauma. Diagnosis is confirmed by radiological findings. Palpation of the styloid process in the tonsillar fossa and infiltration with anesthesia are also used in making the diagnosis. The treatment is primarily surgical; however, some conservative treatments have also been used. The current literature on Eagle's syndrome is reviewed, highlighting its often underestimated frequency and its clinical importance.

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The styloid process syndrome: Aetiological factors and surgical management

Cited by 119 publications

References 15 publications

Radiological evaluation of the styloid process length in the normal population

Radiological evaluation of the styloid process length in the normal population

Eagle’s syndrome: embryology, anatomy, and clinical management

Eagle's syndrome: A review of the literature

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