Eagle syndrome

A thirty-eight-year-old male patient was referred by the general practitioner to our department for recurrent throat pain radiating to head and neck for a few months. The pain was more prominent on the left side, especially during swallowing, and sometimes accompanied by a creaking noise and sensation of a ‘click’. Physical examination showed a slightly hard bulge on the left upper neck. Previous medical history was not helpful and laboratory findings were normal. Ultrasound of the neck, as a first investigation, showed no abnormalities. In addition, enhanced computed tomo - graphy of the neck was performed. Coronal reconstruction, as shown in Fig. A, revealed total ossification of the stylohyoid ligaments, from the origin on the styloid process to the insertion on the lesser horn of the hyoid bone, as well as enlargement of both styloid processes, more pronounced on the left. Pseudo-articulation between the left stylohyoid ligament and styloid process, also shown in Fig. A and more in detail on the three-dimensional reconstruction in Fig. B, caused the local swelling in the left upper neck. These radiographic findings accompanied by the patient’s complaints, is known as “Eagle Syndrome”. Because of the minor clinical repercussions, conservative treatment was optioned.