Introduction: The styloid apophysis is an osseous outgrowth originating in the tympanum portion of the temporal bone. Its growth, or the ossification of the stylohyoid ligament, may cause a series of symptoms, such as dysphagia, odynophagia, facial pain, otalgia, cephalea, tinnitus and trismus. This set of symptoms associated to the presence of an elongated styloid aphophysis is known as the Eagle syndrome. Aim: To report on a group of four patients with Eagle syndrome, as well as to discuss the clinical presentation and the most suitable treatment of this disease. Study design: Clinical retrospective. Material and Method: A retrospective clinical study of four patients who were submitted to surgery at the HSPE-FMO (State Public Servants Hospital) of São Paulo, and at the HSPM (Municipal Public Servants Hospital) of the city of São Paulo, in the period from June, 1998, to June, 2001. The surgical treatment was the therapeutic option selected, with the removal of the elongated styloid aphophyses. The clinical evolution was assessed during the postoperative period. Results: Of the four patients, three were females and one a male, ages ranging from 38 to 68 years, with an average age of 57.25 years. The elongated styloid aphophyses were found and operated in both sides in 50% of the cases. Full remission of the symptoms occurred in three of the patients, and a partial improvement was observed in the other patient. Conclusion: This disease should be considered when the patient presents symptoms, such as dysphagia, odynophagia, facial pain, otalgia, cephalea, tinnitus and trismus. Surgical treatment is the best form of conducting such cases with patients presenting elongated styloid aphophysis and symptoms compatible with the Eagle syndrome, with the external approach being the one that offers greater safety and allows for a more complete resection.
Eagle’s syndrome; ligament stylohyoid; ossification
