Journal of

Introduction: Eagle syndrome, which can be a source of craniofacial pain, is caused by elongation of styloid process more than 25 mm. The present study aimed to assess the structural characteristics and prevalence of elongated styloid process (ESP), Eagle syndrome and the related symptoms in the adults aged above 20 years in Shiraz.

Methods: In this cross- sectional study, 500 panoramic radiographs were evaluated in regard with styloid process length and morphology. In the presence of any symptoms in patients with ESP, they were clinically evaluated. Those symptoms reproduced by tonsillar fossa palpation were regarded relevant to ESP.

Results: The prevalence of ESP was 35.2%, which  was proved not to be sex-dependent. Individuals aged 40-60 years and those with more than 60 years had respectively 1.76 (1.16-2.66, CR: 95%) and 2.01 (1.10-3.66, CR: 95%) times greater chance for ESP compared to those aged below 40. The most and the least prevalent structural morphologies were continuous calcification and multiple pseudo articulation respectively. Eagle syndrome was observed in 1.8% of the study population. Moreover, headache, dizziness, and foreign body sensation were respectively reported as the most evaluated symptoms.

Conclusion: ESP was demonstrated to occur commonly in the study population which can get more prevalent by increasing age. With respect to avoiding unnecessary treatments, clinical examination of patients seem to be essential in order to differentiate Eagle syndrome from other sources with the same complications.