Eagle's syndrome in an 11-year-old patient

Abstract

In 1937, W.W. Eagle documented cases in which elongation of the styloid process (over 25 cm), or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, appeared to be the cause of pharyngeal and cervical pain. 1 Eagle WW Symptomatic elongated styloid process: Report of two cases of styloid process-carotid artery syndrome with operation. Arch Otolaryngol. 1949; 49: 490 Crossref PubMed Scopus (226) Google Scholar The prevalence of an elongated styloid process is somewhat varied, although Fritz reports it as a common finding. 2 Fritz M Elongated styloid process. Arch Otolaryngol. 1940; 31: 911 Crossref Google Scholar Eagle believed that approximately 4% of the population had an elongated styloid process, and that only 4% of these persons showed symptoms. 3 Eagle WW Elongated styloid process. Arch Otolaryngol. 1958; 67: 172 Crossref Scopus (188) Google Scholar Kaufman et al 4 Kaufman SM Elzay RP Irish EF Styloid process variation. Arch Otolaryngol. 1970; 91: 460 Crossref PubMed Scopus (192) Google Scholar radiographically found a 7.3% incidence of elongation in their sample, but no correlation to clinical symptoms was noted. Most cases are found in women, with an age distribution greater than 30 years of age. 1 Eagle WW Symptomatic elongated styloid process: Report of two cases of styloid process-carotid artery syndrome with operation. Arch Otolaryngol. 1949; 49: 490 Crossref PubMed Scopus (226) Google Scholar , 5 Eagle WW Elongated styloid process: Report of two cases. Arch Otolaryngol. 1937; 25: 584 Crossref Google Scholar , 6 Schmidt OVM Elongated styloid process which interfered with function of a singer's voice. Arch Otolaryngol. 1950; 54: 117 Google Scholar There are no data on the prevalence of an elongated styloid process in children.