Elongated styloid process: An epidemiological study on digital panoramic radiographs.

G Bruno,A De Stefani,S Mazzoleni,P Balasso,A Gracco

doi:10.4317/jced.54370

Abstract

BackgroundThe styloid process is a projecton of the temporal bone, its lenght is between 20 to 30 mm, when it is longer than 30 mm it is defined elongated styloid process. The aim of this study is an epidemiological evaluation of 1003 digital panoramic radiographs in an Italian population between 5 and 90 years old.Material and MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis and the radiographs were selected from the Complex Operating Unit of Dentistry of Padua University Hospital database. The radiographs were performed using a Sirona Ortophos XG and the styloid process length was measured using the measuring tool of Sidexis Software. It was measured from the point where it left the temporal bone plate to its tip. Styloid processes measuring more than 30 mm were considered elongated. Chi-squared test, Fligner-Killeen test, Shapiro-Wilk test and t-test with Welch correction were performed.ResultsIn the study 33.40% of the patients showed an elongated styloid process.ConclusionsThe number of patients with elongated styloid process and the mean length of the process increase with the age confirming the chronic development of the calcification described in literature. No statistically significant correlation is found between the presence of elongated styloid process and the gender and affected side (bilateral or unilateral). Key words:Elongated styloid process, panoramic radiograph, epidemiological study, Eagle’s syndrome.

Highlights

The styloid process is a projection of the temporal bone, it is cylindrical in shape and it is located in front of the stylmastoid foramen and it has a connection with the hyoid bone through the styloid ligament
Digital panoramic radiographs show an easier interpretation than other methods and they are the preferable procedure for epidemiological studies and for the first diagnosis
In the present study 1003 patients between 5 and 90 years old were evaluated from the Complex Operating Unit of Dentistry of Padua University Hospital database and 33.40% of the patients present an elongated styloid process confirming the data previously reported in the medical literature showing a prevalence range between 1.4 to 83.6% [13,16,17] and the preliminary evaluation conducted at the University of Padua on a partial sample [5]

Summary

Introduction

The styloid process is a projection of the temporal bone, it is cylindrical in shape and it is located in front of the stylmastoid foramen and it has a connection with the hyoid bone through the styloid ligament It is a part of the splancnocranium for its embriological develompment: it derives from the second branchial arch, in the Reichert’s cartilage. The prevalence of elongated styloid process has been study in different populations using digital panoramic radiographs and a high variability has been found [4,8]. It was measured from the point where it left the temporal bone plate to its tip. No statistically significant correlation is found between the presence of elongated styloid process and the gender and affected side (bilateral or unilateral)

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