Surgical Treatment of Eagle Syndrome by Intraoral Approach: A Case Report

Abstract

Eagle Syndrome is the sensation of presence of a foreign body along with pain in the oropharynx and face that is exacerbated by swallowing, chewing and yawning due to the elongation of the styloid process. Its aetiology is usually tonsillectomy or throat injury. The associated pathological feature is the compression of neurovascular structures surrounding the styloid process due to its lengthening. In this report, a case of 37-year-old female presenting with Eagle syndrome treated surgically by intraoral approach is presented. Computed tomography showed hyperdense bilateral areas in the regions of styloid processes suggestive of elongated styloid processes. The patient underwent general anaesthesia due to the possibility of airway obstruction during the procedure and the proximity of important neurovascular structures. In the region of the tonsillar pillars, electrocautery and tissue dissection was performed and the styloid processes were accessed. The electrocautery incisions were placed in the region of the tonsillar pillars, surrounding tissues were dissected to expose the styloid processes in oral cavity. With Kelly forceps, the styloid processes were fractured and removed. The surgical treatment with intraoral approach provided definitive treatment of the Eagle syndrome quickly, without causing obvious scarring and favouring the patient’s recovery.