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Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2013; 17(03): 347-350
DOI: 10.7162/S1809-977720130003000017
Case Report
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Eagle's Syndrome

Thaís Gonçalves Pinheiro
1   MD. Fellowship in Laryngology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Sao Paulo.
,
Vítor Yamashiro Rocha Soares
2   MD. Ph.D. Student in Health Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Brasilia.
,
Denise Bastos Lage Ferreira
3   MD. Attending Physician, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Brasilia.
,
Igor Teixeira Raymundo
3   MD. Attending Physician, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Brasilia.
,
Luiz Augusto Nascimento
4   MD, PhD. Adjunct Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Brasilia.
,
Carlos Augusto Costa Pires de Oliveira
5   MD, PhD. Full Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Brasilia.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

05 October 2011

16 November 2011

Publication Date:
21 January 2014 (online)

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Summary

Introduction: Eagle's syndrome is characterized by cervicopharyngeal signs and symptoms associated with elongation of the styloid apophysis. This elongation may occur through ossification of the stylohyoid ligament, or through growth of the apophysis due to osteogenesis triggered by a factor such as trauma. Elongation of the styloid apophysis may give rise to intense facial pain, headache, dysphagia, otalgia, buzzing sensations, and trismus. Precise diagnosis of the syndrome is difficult, and it is generally confounded by other manifestations of cervicopharyngeal pain.

Objective: To describe a case of Eagle's syndrome.

Case Report: A 53-year-old man reported lateral pain in his neck that had been present for 30 years. Computed tomography (CT) of the neck showed elongation and ossification of the styloid processes of the temporal bone, which was compatible with Eagle's syndrome. Surgery was performed for bilateral resection of the stylohyoid ligament by using a transoral and endoscopic access route. The patient continued to present pain laterally in the neck, predominantly on his left side. CT was performed again, which showed elongation of the styloid processes. The patient then underwent lateral cervicotomy with resection of the stylohyoid process, which partially resolved his painful condition.

Final Comments: Patients with Eagle's syndrome generally have a history of chronic pain. Appropriate knowledge of this disease is necessary for adequate treatment to be provided. The importance of diagnosing this uncommon and often unsuspected disease should be emphasized, given that correct clinical-surgical treatment is frequently delayed. The diagnosis of Eagle's syndrome is clinical and radiographic, and the definitive treatment in cases of difficult-to-control pain is surgical.

Keywords

Neck Pain - Osteogenesis - Oral Surgical Procedures
 

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