Year : 2015

Volume : Volume 5

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Rohit Kumar Sahu
rohitkumarsahu@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: The elongated styloid process may produce characteristic head and neck pain syndromes, referred to as Eagle’s syndrome.  The objective of the study was to assess the elongation of styloid process on digital panoramic radiographs and to evaluate the prevalence of elongation according to age, sex and types. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 198 digital panoramic radiographs. The radiographs were taken using a digital panoramic system. Radiographic length of the styloid process was measured on both sides using the measurement toolbars on the accompanying analysis software and then statistically analysed.  Results: Elongated styloid process was seen in 87 out of 198 patients who were aged between 10-70 years. The study revealed the fact that, styloid process elongation increased with age and had male predominance. Type I elongation was most common, with maximum number of patients in the range of 31-40 mm length. Left styloids were more elongated than right. On the right side, Type I and Type III elongation were more common in males and in 31-50 years; Type II in females and in 50-70 years age group. On the left side all the three types of elongation were most commonly found in males and in 31-50 years age groups. Bilateral elongation was more common than unilateral elongation. Conclusion: Panoramic radiograph provides a correct picture of elongated styloid process, and hence panoramic radiography is economical and the best imaging modality to view the elongation of styloid process.

Keywords: Styloid process, Elongation, Digital Panoramic radiographs.