Prevalence Of Elongated Styloid Process Research Articles

Accuracy in the Diagnostics of Styloid Process - Panoramic Radiograph vs. Computed Tomography: A Comparative Study.

The styloid process (SP) becomes clinically relevant when it shows enlargement (>30 mm) in the sense of an elongated SP (ESP) and/or increasing calcification leading to Eagle Syndrome (ES). Panoramic radiograph (PR) or computed tomography (CT) are part of the routine diagnostics in ES. Currently, CT is considered the gold standard. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy in the diagnostics/measurements of SP/ESP throughout a comparative study between PR and CT. Furthermore, in addition to measuring established parameters, this study aimed to determine the currently unexamined width in the base and tip of the SP. The present study examined the radiological findings of bilateral SP in 100 patients who received both PR and CT on the same day. Measurements of the length of the SP and width at the basis and tip were performed. Furthermore, calcification patterns, Langlais classification and the prevalence of ESP were analyzed. There was a highly significant correlation between PR and CT measuring SP for every parameter. Males showed significantly longer SP than females among the age group between 18-75 years. The results of the length measurements of the SP (male: right SP=32.98 mm; left SP=35.21 mm; female: right SP=30.31 mm; left SP=30.92 mm) significantly exceeded the values of comparable studies. Consequently, it can be concluded that PR provides accurate measurements when compared to CT for measuring and diagnosing SP/ESP/Eagle syndrome. This study was one of the first to examine the width of the SP in the base and tip, thus these measurements can serve as a baseline for further studies. Since the mean lengths of SP exceeded 30.0 mm in the present study, these findings raise the question of whether the cut-off of 30.0 mm is adequate for the diagnosis of ESP.

Prevalence and features of elongated styloid process on imaging studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine the prevalence of the elongated styloid process (ESP) and its characteristics, such as sex and age of the patient, unilateral and bilateral incidence, besides variations between different populations and panoramic and CBCT examinations. A search was performed in six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, Lilacs, and Embase) to identify observational studies that used imaging exams and assessed ESP prevalence among panoramic radiograph CBCT examinations, whose transversal prevalence studies were included. Furthermore, studies with a specific group of patients or symptomatic patients were excluded. Additionally, Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted, then subgroup analyses were performed by grouping studies according to the secondary outcomes, with a significance level set at 5%. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to rate the certainty in the evidence. The initial search resulted in 1635 studies, from which 39 articles met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 50,655 participants. The sample size varied between 82 and 5,000 participants. The prevalence of the ESP ranged from 1.3 to 94.8%, with an overall prevalence of 30.2%. The bilateral occurrence was higher than the unilateral one, but no significant predilection was observed according to sex, age, or population. The type of imaging examination also showed no difference in its detection. The overall prevalence of ESP was 30.2%, with a propensity for bilaterality, but not for any sex, age, or population geographic location. The imaging examination modality did not influence the diagnosis of ESP. However, the quality level of the studies evaluated was very low, demonstrating the need for more homogeneous primary studies on the prevalence of the ESP with a more standardized methodology. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the prevalence of the ESP and the characteristics of the affected patients that can cause chronic and debilitating discomfort in the head and neck region. Therefore, knowledge about the prevalence and characteristics of this condition would help dental clinicians reach the correct diagnosis.

The validity of panoramic radiograph as a diagnostic method for elongated styloid process: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the validity of panoramic radiograph as a radiographic method for the diagnosis of an elongated styloid process (ESP) in the general population. Methods: An electronic search of available articles about ESP was conducted on PubMed. Sequential screenings based on previously defined exclusion and inclusion criteria were performed. Results: Eight studies were included in the systematic review. Prevalence of ESP and mean radiological length of the styloid process (SP) increased with age, which might be due to a chronic calcification development of the SP. Most of the included studies also asserted that there was no statistically significant correlation between ESP and the gender. Discussion: Panoramic radiograph is easy to perform and interpret, so it can be defined as being useful for diagnosis of ESP in the general population. In symptomatic patients, it can help in the differential diagnosis with other conditions associated with orofacial and neck pain.

Diagnostic reproducibility of the elongated styloid process

The aim of this study was to estimate the reproducibility related to the presence and to the measurements of elongated styloid process (ESP), based on panoramic radiographs and the prevalence of ESP. one hundred sixty six panoramic radiographs were used, from edentulous patients from the Radiology Clinic files, at Araraquara Dental School, Unesp, during a four-year period. One hundred and twenty one were female and 45 were male. Two calibrated observers evaluated the radiographs. A caliper was used to measure, in mm, the ESP from the base of the temporal bone to the tip of the structure. The ESP was considered present when the measurements were 30mm or more. Kappa statistics (k ) and intra-class correlation coefficient (r ), were applied to estimate the reproducibility. The results showed that related to the presence of ESP, the interobserver agreement was k =0.85. Related to the measurements of ESP, the interobserver agreement was r =0.52. The prevalence of ESP was estimated in 12.6%. ESP distribution in females was similar to that for males. In conclusion, we found a greater level of agreement when observers evaluated the presence of ESP than when they did the measurement of ESP. The prevalence of ESP was 12.6%.