Three-dimensional computed tomography and surgical treatment for Eagle's syndrome.

ABSTRACT

Eagle's syndrome represents a group of symptoms that includes recurrent throat pain, globus pharyngeus, dysphagia, referred otalgia, and neck pain possibly caused by elongation of the styloid process or ossification of the stylohyoid or stylomandibular ligaments. The medical history and physical and radiologic examinations are the main guides to the precise diagnosis. The radiologic diagnostic modality of choice is three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT). We describe a case of bilaterally symptomatic Eagle's syndrome that was diagnosed by 3-D CT of the styloid processes and successfully treated with surgery via a transoral approach.