The syndrome of elongated styloid process

Symptom-complex associated with the elongated styloid process is more common than generally thought. The exact etiology of this syndrome has not yet been fully understood. The present article is a review of the symptoms, physical signs, theories of causation, diagnosis and treatment of this condition. During the 20 years period from 1975 to 1995, 35 symptomatic patients with the established diagnosis of elongated styloid process were managed. Their diagnosis were confirmed by clinical and radiological examinations. Surgical shortening of the elongated processes were done by intraoral transtonsillar approach under general anaesthesia. Twenty were bilateral and 15 were unilateral elongations. Eighteen were males and seventeen were females. Largest distribution of patients in age was seen in the fifth decade of life. Pain in the throat was most frequently encountered as the presenting complaint. A total of 31 patients obtained complete symptomatic relief within 6 months following operation. In four patients there were either incomplete relief or recurrence of symptoms after operations. Elongated styloid process may be one of the causes annoying maxillofacial or craniocervical pain. It requires thorough clinical examination of the head and neck, and should be confirmed radiologically. Occasionally multidisciplinary cooperation may be needed to come to a diagnosis. Surgical shortening of the elongated process is the only way to give symptomatic relief to the patient. Further research is needed to understand the aetiogenesis of this condition.