Assessment of Anatomical Variation of Styloid Process in Multidetector Computed Tomography

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the anatomical variation of the styloid process of Nepalese individuals by using multi-detector computed tomography scans. It was carried out to establish the baseline for the normal length of the styloid process and to compare the variability of styloid process measurement between different age group and gender. Materials and methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional was performed in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Imaging data were collected over the period of January to April 2021 with the total number of 153 individuals. The age and gender of the individuals were noted. The measurement was done in the Multiplanar Reconstruction (MPR) coronal sections of Head and Neck, PNS and Cerebral Angiography. Various Styloid Process (SP) morphology parameters like RLSP, RGSP, LLSP, LGSP, Right Elongation Type, Right Calcification Type, Left Elongation Type, and Left Calcification Type was measured. Results: The measurement of the length of SP was found to be 3.06±0.72 cm (ranged 1.80-5.54 cm) in right SP while that of left SP was 3.08±0.72 cm (ranged 1.45-5.69 cm). The gap between the SP and the calcification pattern was found to be 0.51±0.30 cm (ranged 0.08-1.20 cm) in right SP while that of left SP was 0.63±0.43 cm (ranged 0.08- 1.97cm). Similarly, there was a statistical significant difference between the RLSP-RGSP and LLSP-LGSP. The length of styloid process was found to be higher among male than in female. But there was no statistical significant difference between male and female in the SP measurement. The series of elongation patterns were found to be normal SP, followed by elongated, distant elongated, pseudoarticulated, and segmented SP. The series of calcification patterns were found to be calcified SP, followed by nodular, partial, and outlined SP. Conclusion: In this study, the valuable information regarding anatomical length and variation of styloid process with respect to age and gender among the Nepalese individuals was found. 3D CT reconstruction is a gold standard investigation that helps in studying the relation of the SP with surrounding structures.