Abstract

MORALES E, Rolando  and  CANTIN L, Mario. Elongated Styloid Process: Diagnostic Criteria and Differential Diagnosis. A Case Review. Int. J. Odontostomat. [online]. 2010, vol.4, n.3, pp. 223-228. ISSN 0718-381X.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-381X2010000300003.

The elongation of the styloid process may occur as a pathologic entity in the craniocervical area. There is controversy regarding the criteria for its diagnosis and its differential diagnosis. In this report we present the case of a 45 year old female with chronic low back pain, intermittent headache, neck pain and acute articular, no history of surgical or traumatic in the craniocervical area. Radiographically, bilateral elongation of the styloid process were detected, determining a presumptive diagnosis of Eagle syndrome. It requires that patients must have undergone tonsillectomy or trauma to suffer this disease, a condition absent in this case. The correct discrimination of the signs and symptoms distinguish this condition as stylohyoid syndrome. This report delivers the criteria to consider in a patient with elongated styloid process associated with pathology, to use that information and give an accurate diagnosis.

Keywords : styloid process; differential diagnosis; Eagle syndrome; stylohyoid syndrome.