Calcification of the stylohyoid complex in Libyans

The prevalence of elongated styloid process in the population of Barcelona: a cross-sectional study & review of literature

BACKGROUND

Styloid process (SP) is a cylindrical bony projection that originates from the inferior part of the petrous temporal bone just anteriorly to the stylomastoid foramen. Several nerves, muscles, and ligaments are related closely to the (SP). It is considered elongated when the measurement exceeds 30 mm. The overall prevalence of the styloid process is between 3.3% to 84.4%. The elongation of the styloid process (ESP) is associated with the manifestation of Eagle's Syndrome (ES) which is characterized by various types of pain in the head and neck region such as headache, tinnitus, otalgia, and trigeminal neuralgia. Eagle's syndrome occurs in 4-10.3% of individuals with an elongated styloid process (ESP). The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of (ESP) in the patients who were treated in the Dental Hospital University of Barcelona (HOUB), to review the literature to spot the light on the different demographic data worldwide.

METHODS

The archived panoramic image in the University of Barcelona dental Hospital were consecutively retrieved to investigate the prevalence of (ESP). Of all digital panoramic radiographs (OPG), 400 met the inclusion criteria and were furtherly analyzed. The results are correlated with the participant's gender, age, and occurrence. Age is subcategorized into three groups. A chi-square test is used to measure the significant differences and the P-value is set at < 0.05 for the level of significance.

RESULTS

Among the included 400, we found 291 demonstrating (ESP). The prevalence of (ESP) which exceeds 30 mm is 72.75%. It is found that the most common morphological type is type 1 which is regarded as the uninterrupted (ESP) regardless of gender and age group. Concerning the calcification pattern, the most prevalent is the partial calcified (ESP) despite genders and age groups.

CONCLUSION

(OPG) is a sufficient tool for the screening of the elongated styloid process. Regarding the prevalence, our results are considered higher than previously reported prevalence in different populations using (OPG) radiography tool. A study on a wider spectrum of the Spanish population is recommended to further investigate the correlation between the elongated styloid process and the occurrence of Eagle's syndrome.

Prevalence and Pattern of Stylohyoid Chain Complex on Panoramic Radiographs: A Retrospective Study

Objective: The elongated styloid process (SP) and calcified stylohyoid ligament can be evaluated radiologically and are associated with some symptoms and syndromes. This study aimed to define the incidence of different stylohyoid chain patterns and classify them. Methods: Digital panoramic radiographs of 1217 patients were included in the study. The styloid chain patterns were analyzed according to MacDonald-Jankowski’s study. Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) program. Descriptive values were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The data were assessed by using Chi-squared tests. A probability level of less than .05 (p ˂ .05) was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of the stylohyoid chain complex patterns was higher for normal SP (86.5%), followed by elongated SP (7.1%), calcified stylohyoid ligament (2.2%), and absent stylohyoid chain (2.8%). Unclassified SP was detected in twenty individuals on the left (1.6%) and fourteen on the right (1.2%). In view of symmetry of the stylohyoid chain complex, 979 (80.4%) were symmetric, 238 (19.6%) were asymmetric and 14 (1.15%) of the asymmetrical ones were unilateral. There was no significant difference in gender for the type of stylohyoid chain complex pattern (p > .05). There was statistically significant difference between the stylohyoid complex pattern and age groups for the right and left sides (p < .05). Conclusion: The authors believe that this study provides additional information about the frequency of the elongated styloid process and provides valuable knowledge of the anatomical variations of the SP. Current findings should be correlated with clinical symptoms in future studies

Styloid process elongation in a sample of Lebanese population: a consideration for the prevention of Eagle syndrome

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and patterns of styloid process elongation in a general Lebanese population sample.

METHODS

Digital panoramic radiographs of 489 Lebanese adults (218 males and 271 females, mean age of 47.56 ± 16.149) were included in this retrospective study. First, we screened for detection of elongated styloid process, then we analyzed these cases and classified the elongation types. Data obtained were transformed into SPSS v24 and descriptive and inferential analyses were done.

RESULTS

In our sample, elongated styloid process was seen in 76 cases (15.5%) (45/271 women and 31/218 men). Despite no significant gender predisposition, females were slightly more affected than males (59.2% females to 40.8% males). As for the age, elongation was significantly more likely to be present at 45-64 years of age. The right side was slightly more affected than the left side (86.8% vs. 76.3% respectively), with type 1 elongation as the most common. Nevertheless, bilateral elongation was much more common than unilateral elongation (63.2%).Interestingly, females were more likely to suffer from bilateral elongation (64.58%) compared to men (35.41%).

CONCLUSION

Elongated styloid process represents a common finding detected fortuitously on panoramic radiographs. Therefore, being a main feature in Eagle syndrome, dentists should be aware of this clinical entity and actively screen for it.