title: Prevalence and pattern of stylohyoid chain complex patterns detected by panoramic radiographs among Turkish population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The calcified stylohyoid ligament and the elongated styloid process (SP) are identified radiographically, are associated with several syndromes and symptoms. The aim of this study was to classify and determine the incidence of different types of stylohyoid chain patterns in Turkish population to provide a guide for the dentist and maxillofacial surgeon. The effect of menopause, on the elongation of SP was also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  1,600 patients, who visited Ege University Faculty of Dentistry, were enrolled. Images were evaluated for the pattern of stylohyoid chain complex according to O'Carroll's classification. The difference between age and gender was evaluated using χ(2) and ANOVA tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normal SP (Patterns A, B, C, D) 68.3 %, elongated SP (Pattern E) 27.1 %, calcified stylohyoid ligament (Patterns F, G, H, I, J, K) 1.7 % and absent stylohyoid chain 2.5 % ratios were encountered. Pattern D (52.5 %) was the most prevalent stylohyoid chain pattern followed by Pattern E (27.1 %) and Pattern C (10.7 %), respectively. Among the calcified stylohyoid ligament groups studied, Pattern G (2.6 %) was most frequently observed. There was no difference in gender for the type of stylohyoid chain complex pattern (p > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between menopause and non-menopause group (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of the present study, styloid process elongation is more common in older adults with no correlation to gender. In addition, menopause had no effect on the calcification or elongation of the stylohyoid chain. The sum of the elongated SP and the calcified stylohyoid ligament was 28.8 %.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alpoz
authors.forename: Gulcan Coskun
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Akar
authors.forename: Servet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Figen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Govsa
authors.forename: Gunnur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lomcali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012016:Reference Values; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult