Can Eagle syndrome go away by itself?
For people who choose not to undergo surgery or for whom surgery does not work, Eagle syndrome may be a chronic condition. With medical management, symptoms can improve but are unlikely to disappear completely. Eagle syndrome is not a progressive illness and will not cause other medical conditions.
What does styloid process attach to?
The styloid process is a cylindrical, slender, needle-like projection of varying lengths averaging 2 to 3 cm. The styloid process projects from the inferior part of the petrous temporal bone and offers attachment to the stylohyoid ligament and the stylohyoid, stylopharyngeus, and styloglossus muscles.
How long does it take to recover from Eagle syndrome surgery?
The average time to resolution of symptoms was 26.5 days. All surgically treated patients had symptom resolution.
Can you feel styloid process?
It should be possible to feel an elongated styloid process by careful intraoral palpation, placing the index finger in the tonsillar fossa and applying gentle pressure. If pain is reproduced by palpation and either referred to the ear, face, or head, the diagnosis of an elongated styloid process is very likely.
What medication is used for Eagle syndrome?
If you have other conditions that make surgery risky, you can manage the symptoms of Eagle syndrome with several types of medication, including: Over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
How do you get rid of Eagle syndrome?
The mainstay treatment for Eagle syndrome is surgery to shorten the styloid process (styloidectomy). Medical management may include the use of pain and anti-inflammatory medications, antidepressants, and/or steroids. The overall success rate for treatment (medical or surgical) is about 80%.
What is the purpose of styloid process?
The styloid process of the temporal bone is a slender osseous projection that points anteroinferiorly from the inferior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone. It serves as an anchor point for several muscles associated with the tongue and larynx: styloglossus muscle.
Is Eagle syndrome surgery safe?
The transcervical styloidectomy technique that we use for the treatment of Eagle’s syndrome is a simple, safe, and rapid technique, adapted to the elongated styloid process and calcifications of the stylohyoid ligament.
Is Eagle syndrome rare?
Eagle’s syndrome (ES) is a rare entity that is not commonly suspected in clinical practice. The prevalence of individuals with an elongated styloid process in the adult population is estimated to be 4% with a very small percent of these individuals reported to be symptomatic.
What does Eagle syndrome feel like?
Eagle syndrome is characterized by recurrent pain in the middle part of the throat (oropharynx) and face. “Classic Eagle syndrome” is typically seen in patients after throat trauma or tonsillectomy. Symptoms include dull and persistent throat pain that may radiate to the ear and worsen with rotation of the head.