Is There a Relationship Between Styloid Process Morphology and Symptoms Associated With Eagle Syndrome?

Abstract

Background:

Eagle Syndrome is characterized by an elongated or angulated styloid process, often linked to symptoms such as throat pain, otalgia, and dizziness. The association between styloid morphology and symptoms remains unclear. This study evaluates the potential correlation between styloid process characteristics and Eagle Syndrome symptoms.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 945 patients who underwent paranasal sinus CT between 2019 and 2022. Styloid process length, angulation, and morphological types (continuous, pseudoarticular, and segmentary) were evaluated. Clinical symptoms, including throat pain, neck pain, headache, otalgia, and dizziness, were obtained from hospital records. Statistical analyses were performed to assess correlations between styloid process morphology and symptoms.

Results:

The styloid process was continuous in 59.8%, pseudoarticular in 14.7%, and segmentary in 25.5% of patients. Significant differences were found in styloid process length across these types (P < .001), but not in angulation (P > .05). No statistically significant association was found between styloid process length, angulation, or type and the presence of symptoms (P > .05).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that styloid process morphology alone may not predict symptoms associated with Eagle Syndrome. Diagnosis should be based on a comprehensive clinical evaluation rather than radiological criteria alone. These results highlight the importance of integrating clinical evaluation with radiological findings rather than relying solely on imaging features.