Eagle syndrome

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Eagle syndrome
Classification and external resources

Radiographs of the vertebral spine: a-p and lateral view. Neither distinct malposition nor major degenerative changes of the cervical spine are recognizable. Formally and structurally inconspicuous cervical vertebral bodies and adnexa. But detection of a largely ossification of the ligamenta stylohyoidea on both sides. The patient's medical condition might be ascribed to a kerato-stylohyoidal syndrome.

DiseasesDB

33542

eMedicine

article/1447247

Eagle syndrome is a rare condition where an elongated temporal styloid process (more than 30mm) is in conflict with the adjacent anatomical structures. Two forms of eagle syndrome exists: The classic form and the vascular one.

Contents
[hide]

1 Symptoms

2 Diagnosis 3 Treatment 4 History 5 References

[edit]Symptoms
Patients with the classic "Eagle Syndrome" can present with unilateral sore throat, dysphagia, tinnitus, unilateral facial and neck pain, andotalgia. In patients with the vascular form of "Eagle syndrome", the elongated styloid process is in contact with the extracranial internal carotid artery. This can cause a compression (while turning the head) or a dissection of the carotid artery causing a transient ischemic event or a stroke.

[edit]Diagnosis
Diagnosis is suspected when a patient presents with the symptoms of the classic form of "eagle syndrome" e.g. unilateral neck pain, sore throat or tinnitus. On the exam, one can sometimes palpate the tip of the styloid process in the back of the throat. The diagnosis of the vascular type is more difficult and requires an expert opinion. One should have a high level of suspicion when neurological symptoms occurs upon head rotation. Imaging is important and is diagnostic. Visualizing the styloid process on a CT scan with 3D reconstruction is the suggested imaging technique.[1]

[edit]Treatment
In both the classic and vascular form, the treatment is surgical.[2] A partial styloidectomy is the preferred approach. Repair of a damaged carotid artery is essential in order prevent further neurological complications.

[edit]History
The condition was first described by the American otorhinolaryngologist Watt Weems Eagle in 1937.[3]

[edit]References
1. ^ Karam C, Koussa S (December 2007). "[Eagle syndrome: the role of CT scan with 3D reconstructions"] (in French). J Neuroradiol 34 (5): 344 5.doi:10.1016/j.neurad.2007.08.001. PMID 17997158. 2. ^ Orhan KS, Gldiken Y, Ural HI, Cakmak A (April 2005). "[Elongated styloid process (Eagle's syndrome): literature review and a case report]" (in Turkish). Agri 17 (2): 23 5.PMID 15977090.

3. ^ Eagle's syndrome (Watt Weems Eagle) at Who Named It?