The Eagle syndrome

Abstract

Despite the striking radiographic appearance of an ossified and elongated stylohyoid process, the significance of this abnormality has not been appreciated except by physicians and dental surgeons who are familiar with the symptom complex first described by Eagle [1]. Symptomatic elongation of the stylohyoid process, the Eagle syndrome, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of obscure causes of head and neck pain. The increased use of panoramic radiographic units, especially by dental surgeons, has increased the awareness of abnormalities of the stylohyoid process [2]. The paucity of information in the radiologic literature prompted this report.