From the Guidelines
Eagle syndrome, also known as Stylohyoid syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by an elongated or calcified styloid process, which can cause sharp pain in the throat, ear, or face, difficulty swallowing, and limited mobility of the neck [ 1 ].
Key Characteristics
- The styloid process is a bony structure located in the throat
- Glossopharyngeal pain is a common symptom, and imaging studies such as CT neck can be useful to characterize the anatomy of the stylohyoid ligament [ 1 ]
- The condition can be challenging to diagnose and may be mistaken for other conditions, such as glossopharyngeal neuralgia, which requires imaging to exclude a mucosal neoplasm as an etiology [ 1 ]
Treatment Options
- Managing symptoms with pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- In some cases, surgical removal of the styloid process may be necessary
- Medication like gabapentin or amitriptyline may be prescribed to help manage chronic pain It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment, as Eagle syndrome can be challenging to diagnose and may be mistaken for other conditions.
From the Research
Definition and Causes of Eagle Syndrome
- Eagle syndrome, also known as Stylohyoid syndrome, is a disease caused by an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The syndrome is characterized by the impingement of the elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament on surrounding structures, leading to a variety of symptoms 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Symptoms of Eagle Syndrome
- Common symptoms of Eagle syndrome include neck, throat, or ear pain; pharyngeal foreign body sensation; dysphagia; pain upon head movement; and headache 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Additional symptoms may include otalgia, odynophagia, parapharyngeal foreign body sensation, and neck pain with radiation to the ipsilateral ear 3, 4, 5.
- A vascular variant of the syndrome, known as stylocarotid syndrome, can present as headache, transient ischemic attack, or stroke, and may be associated with carotid artery dissection 6.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Eagle Syndrome
- Diagnosis of Eagle syndrome is typically made through a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or radiographic workup 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Treatment of Eagle syndrome is primarily surgical, involving shortening of the styloid process through an intraoral or external approach 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Conservative treatment options, such as injection of local anesthetic into the styloid process and stylomandibular ligament attachment, may also be considered 3.