Eagle syndrome
The Eagle syndrome (also Stylohyoid syndrome or Stylo - kerato - hyoidales syndrome ) is caused by a too long (> 30 mm) styloid process ( styloid process ) or by calcification of the stylohyoid ligament. When styloid process is a bony projection of the temporal bone ( temporal bone ) at the base of the skull, similar to extending the shape of a pen down and merges with the stylohyoid ligament. This band of connective tissue in turn ends at the hyoid bone ( hyoid ) and serves its suspension. The syndrome was in 1937 by the U.S. otolaryngologist Watt Weems Eagle ( * 1898) first described.
Symptoms
In approximately 4 % of the population is the Proc. styloid extended, but only about 4 % of them have symptoms of Eagle 's syndrome. These are:
- Most frequently unclear sore throat (41%)
- Foreign body sensation (globus syndrome)
- Pain in the throat
- Pain on palpation in the tonsillar fossa
- Pain with or without pain on swallowing ( dysphagia / odynophagia )
- Pain on movement of the head / neck.
- Atypical Facial Pain
The pain can be caused by pressure on nerves and nerve branches (glossopharyngeal, vagus nerve, trigeminal nerve ), entrapment of the neck vessels ( carotid artery, jugular vein ), degenerative changes of the ossified strip at the Proc. styloid or rheumatic involvement ( rheumatoid arthritis).
Epidemiology and cause
This mainly affects women with a ratio of 3:1 at the age of 30 to 40 years. The cause and pathogenesis of the disease is unclear. Discussed a previous trauma, such as in the context of a removal of the tonsils ( tonsillectomy ), a congenital malformation and ossification of the ligamentum stylohyoid.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis can be made even better with clinically suspected by x-rays or computed tomography. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging are less suitable methods.
Therapy
The therapy consists of a surgical shortening of the processus or removal of the ossified band. The simple pain will tend to fail.