Bilateral elongated styloid process in human dry skull

Abstract

Introduction: Styloid process (SP) is a bony projection present anteromedial to stylomastoid foramen, projecting downward from the inferior surface of the temporal bone. The normal length ofSP ranges between 20 and 25 mm, elongated styloid process is also known as Eagle's syndrome, a rare condition that may irritates or disrupts adjacent anatomical structures. Objectives: To report a case of dry skull with elongated styloid process and to discuss possible risk of compression of neurovascular structures associated with it. Materials and Methods: Fifty three adult Human Dry Skull were measured for the following parameters using Digital Vernier Caliper in the Department of Anatomy, SRM Dental College, Chennai1. Length of SP2. Distance between the two Styloid processes at the base3. Distance between the two Styloid processes at the tip4. Thickness at the base of SP5. Distance between the SP and stylomastoid foramen. Results: Out of 53 adult dry skulls studied, one skull identified for bilateral elongated styloid process. The length of the right SP is 3.13 cm and of left is 3.17 cm. Thickness at the base of right SP was 5.6 cm, and the left was 4.7 cm. Distance between the two SPs at the base was measured as 6.93 cm whereas distance between the two SPs at the tip was found to be 5.64 cm. The distance between the SP and stylomastoid foramen on the right was 1 cm and on the left side was 1.2 cm. Conclusion: Although symptoms of Elongated styloid process (EPS) are well known in the literature, it is rarely on the forefront of the clinician's mind. Awareness of EPS and knowledge of the anatomy associated with it may help clinicians to differentiate from other Neurological conditions.