Provoked Eagle syndrome after dental procedure: A review of the literature

Abstract

Eagle syndrome is an uncommon condition caused by an elongated ossified styloid process. The majority of individuals with an elongated ossified styloid process are asymptomatic. Therefore, this condition is diagnosed based on clinical presentation, with radiologic imaging serving to confirm the diagnosis. The styloid process is considered elongated if measuring greater than 3 cm, but there is little correlation between length of the styloid process and severity of symptoms. This syndrome was originally described in post-tonsillectomy patients, but has since been seen in other clinical settings. We present a case of Eagle syndrome that became symptomatic after a dental procedure (wisdom teeth removal). A literature review performed with focus on various etiologies of Eagle syndrome diagnosis found a previously published case of Eagle syndrome presenting as pain of dental origin;¹ however, no case reports of symptoms arising in a patient post-dental procedure were found in our search.