Possible influence of styloid process length on isolated vertigo of unknown aetiology.

OBJECTIVE: Eagle syndrome or styloid process syndrome is a clinical condition of complex aetiology. Since, as a consequence of vascular compression,due to the length of the styloid process and its nearness to the internal carotid artery,it can lead to vertigo. Vertigo may be the only symptom of stylocarotid syndrome and it is extremely challenging diagnose.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that measures the lengths of styloid process on the Croatian population's,and possible influence of styloid process length on isolated vertigo of unknown aetiology. METHODS: This study included 829 subjects who were divided into two groups.The first group was the control group, consisting of 800 subjects.The second group, study group, consisted of 29 subjects who suffered from the vertigo of unknown aetiology. RESULTS: The statistically significant difference between the study and the control group was observed in the length of the styloid process, and in the closest distance of the styloid process from the carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: The prolonged styloid process and its close association with the internal carotid artery may affect vertigo of unknown aetiology and should be clinically and radiographically investigated in cases of unexplained vertigo as an isolated and only symptom within stylocarotid syndrome.