Assessment of stylohyoid ligament in patients with Eagle’s syndrome and patients with asymptomatic elongated styloid process: A cone-beam computed tomography study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the calcification patterns of the stylohyoid ligament in Eagle’s syndrome (ES) patients, and asymptomatic patients with elongated styloid process (SP) via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).METHODS: A total of 52 CBCT images in two symptomatic (ES) and asymptomatic groups (n = 26 per group) were assessed. The mean length and thickness of the SP, morphology, and pattern of calcification between the two sides in each group and between ES and asymptomatic groups were compared. The t-test was used for comparison. Fisher exact and chi-square tests were used to determine the relationship between different types of calcification pattern and morphology. The level of significance was considered at P < 0.050.RESULTS: The SP was thicker in the ES group than the asymptomatic group. However, the styloid length showed no significant difference among the ES and asymptomatic groups. The most common pattern of calcification in both groups was partially calcified with no significant difference between the two study groups. The most common morphology in the asymptomatic and ES groups was “segmented” and “elongated,” respectively.CONCLUSION: The morphology and thickness of the SP showed a significant difference between the ES and asymptomatic groups. This can be helpful in differential diagnosis of facial, pharyngeal, and tonsillar pain.