Eagle's syndrome: Review of cases among Iraqi population

Abstract

Background: Styloid  process  is  sparse  bony  protrusion  situated between the external and internal carotid arteries just proximal to the internal jugular vein and facial nerve. Styloid process varies in length from absent to elongated process and styloid process longer than 25 mm is  considered  as  elongated.  Elongation  of  styloid  process  and calcification of stylohyoid ligament may cause Eagle's syndrome which can be diagnosed by high resolution computerized tomography. The most cases of Eagle's syndrome are idiopathic cause; however, the first case of Eagle's syndrome was diagnosed by Dr. Watt Weems Eagle as post tonsillectomy complication.
Aim of study: to detect the incidence of causes of Eagle's syndrome in the Iraqi society.
Material  and  Method:  Thirty  four  patients  with  craniofacial  pain, cervical pain, chronic dysphagia, and sensation of foreign body in the throat of both sexes aging between (10-58) years are diagnosed as Eagle's syndrome by high resolution computerized tomography. Result: Five patients (15%) had undergone tonsillectomy, three patients (9%)  had  severe  head  injury  and  two  patients  (6%)  had  difficult
prolonged dental extraction as causes of Eagle's syndrome, while the cause  of  Eagle's  syndrome  in  the  rest  of  patients  is  unknown (idiopathic).
Conclusion: Eagle's  syndrome  is  a  very  rare  and  oftenly  missed complication of tonsillectomy, severe head trauma and prolonged dental extraction that should be kept in mind.