Elongated Styloid Process: An Unusual Cause of Neck Pain and Difficulty in Swallowing

Key Words: Eagle Syndrome, neck pain, TMJ / TMD, styloid process

Deshraj Jain, MDS/Jaideep Singh Chauhan, MDS/Sandhya Jain, MDS/Gaurav Goel, MDS

An elongated styloid process is an unusual source of craniofacial and cervical pain. This condition is characterized by a dull, nagging pharyngeal pain and a palpatory finding in the tonsillar fossa. Eagle described it for the first time in 1937 as Eagle’s Syndrome and divided it into two subtypes: the “classic syndrome” and the “stylo-carotid syndrome.” 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 anesthetic are also used for making a diagnosis. This article presents a case report of a patient with a history of throat pain that was relieved after surgical treatment. J Orofac Pain 2011;25:269–271

As this study indicated, Eagle’s Syndrome is an unusual source of craniofacial pain and may manifest itself as TMJ / TMD pain or neck pain. Here at AZ TMJ, we’re able to diagnose this syndrome with the use of our imaging equipment and Dr. Stan Farrell’s expertise with these types of disorders. Dr. Farrell is Board Certified in Orofacial Pain making him one of the best choices for your treatment. Call and schedule an appointment at 480-945-3629. www.headpaininstitute.com