Features of Patients with Eagle Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Eagle syndrome is a rare syndrome in which pain occurs cervico-facially, due to the mineralization of the styloid process. We evaluated the features of Eagle syndrome in a Colombian (Latin American) population.

Method: We described the clinical and pathological features of 5 patients with Eagle syndrome, and conducted a discussion of this disorder during an observational study from 2005 to 2008, with targeted sampling of patients with Eagle syndrome in the Centers of Head and Neck Surgery in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

Results: The patients collectively consulted for sore throat and referred otodinia. Two patients had pain at the opening of the oral cavity, and no patient had foreign body sensation or syncope. On physical examination the patients had great tenderness from bimanual palpations on the postero-inferior face of the palatine tonsil. All patients underwent computed tomography and elongation of the styloid process was found. The patients underwent resection of the styloid process externally and endorally in 2 cases and in 3 cases respectively; none of them presented with disease recurrence after a mean follow-up period of 11.4 months.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this rare disease must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical-facial pain, through imaging, plain radiography, or computed tomography. Treatment can be surgical or nonsurgical, although surgery is recommended.