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DOI: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijde.0974.6099.11118.1

Abstract

Introduction: The word styloid process has been originated from the word ‘stylos,’ which means, the pillar in Greek language. Styloid processes longer than 30mm are called elongated styloid processes. Normal length of styloid process in adults can vary between 20 and 25 millimeters.Styloid processes longer than 30mm are called elongated styloid processes. The elongation of styloid process causes clinical symptoms like neck and cervicofacial pain and described as Eagle syndrome. Objective: This research article aims at establishing the Eagle’s standard measurement of styloid process as diagnostic tool for Eagle’s syndrome in North Indian Population. It also evaluates the age and sex related prevalence of eagle’s syndrome. Materials and Methods: The orthopantomograms of 200 subjects were taken from planmeca promax-dimax4 OPG machine at 66 Kvp, 8mA and exposure time 16 sec. All the measurements are done on digital orthopantomograms using planmeca Romexis 3.2.0R software. The study parameters are measured using mouse-driven method by moving the mouse and drawing lines using chosen points on the digital panoramic radiograph as follows-From base of styloid process to tip of styloid process. Results: The study population consists of 200 subject aged between 9 and 77 years with a mean age of 39.11±16.65 years. The sex ratio in our study population showed that male subject proportion was higher than female i.e. 55.5% and 44.5% respectively. Majority of the patients were between 18 to 35 years of age. According to Eagle, the styloid length greater than 30 mm is considered as pathologic condition, the frequency of occurrence of eagle’s syndrome is estimated in study population. It was found that length of right styloid process( > 30 mm) is higher in 81.5% study population than 18.5% study population (<=30 mm). However the length of left styloid process (>30mm) is higher in 80.5% than 19.5% (<=30). However the length of styloid process (>30mm, <=30mm) is co-related in age groups. The length of right styloid process is not associated in age groups and statistically non-significant (P>0.05). However the length of left styloid process is srongly associated in all age groups. This association is statistically significant (P<.01). It was also concluded that Eagle’s syndrome is more common in males than females. Conclusion: Dentists should recognize the existence of morphological variation in calcified stylohyoid complexes especially in length apparent on panoramic radiographs. The present research paper concludes that the length of styloid process can be used as diagnostic tool in determination Eagle’s Syndrome.

Keywords: Styloid Process; Eagle’s Syndrome; Panoramic Radiograph. 

Corresponding Author : Akhilanand Chaurasia, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical Unniversity, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India.