Abstract
Introduction Eagle syndrome is a rare and an often misdiagnosed entity in otorhinolaryngology.
Objective To determine the efficacy of the surgical treatment for Eagle syndrome.
Methods The present prospective study included 25 patients who presented with complaints
of pain in the throat, ear, and neck, as well as difficulty and/or pain while swallowing;
they were assessed for Eagle syndrome. As per patient profile, we performed a clinical
assessments along with orthopantomograms (OPGs), three-dimensional computed tomography
(3D CT) scans, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Pain was assessed pre- and
postoperatively through the Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11), whose score ranges
from 0 to 10. Microscopic tonsillo-styloidectomy was performed in cases in which the
conservative treatment failed to relieve pain.
Results The mean age of the entire study population was of 36.08 ± 7.19 years, and the male-to-female
ratio was of 1.08:1. Referred otalgia was the commonest (44%) complaint. Radiologically,
out of 25 patients, 20 patients presented elongated styloid processes. The longest
symptomatic styloid process measured radiographically was of 64.7 mm while the shortest
was of 28.2 mm. Out of 20 patients, 12 underwent surgery. The postoperative pain assessment
through the NRS-11 was performed on day 0 (3.83 ± 0.83), day 7 (1.5 ± 0.52), week
4 (0.5 ± 0.52), and week 12 (0.41 ± 0.51). By 12 weeks, 7 patients were symptom-free,
while 5 patients still reported mild pain.
Conclusion Eagle syndrome associated with an elongated styloid process is not a rarity, but
it often goes undiagnosed. Microscopic tonsillo-styloidectomy shows excellent results
in the management of patients with Eagle syndrome.
Keywords
Eagle syndrome - elongated styloid process - otalgia - styloidectomy
