Styloid/C1 transverse process juxtaposition as a cause of Eagle's syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this case report was to characterize styloid/C1 transverse process juxtaposition as a cause for Eagle's syndrome.


RESULTS
A case series was conducted with a chart review of 5 patients with radiographic evidence of jugular vein compression who underwent styloid process excision between 2010 and 2013. There were 4 men and 1 woman, aged 35 to 62 years (mean, 46 years). Cervicalgia (4 of 5 patients) and otalgia (4 of 5 patients) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Styloid process length ranged from 2.4 to 8.5 cm. The distance between the styloid process and the transverse process of C1 ranged from 0.05 to 0.46 cm. All patients underwent a transcervical approach for the excision of the styloid process with immediate postoperative resolution of symptoms and good cosmetic results.


CONCLUSIONS
Styloid/C1 transverse process juxtaposition can produce symptoms of cervicalgia and otalgia even in the setting of a normal length styloid process. The transcervical approach is safe and effective for excision of the styloid process and has good functional and cosmetic results.
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sandra
S
Ho
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Adam
A
Luginbuhl
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Steven
S
Finden
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Joseph M
JM
Curry
Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
David M
DM
Cognetti
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Eagle's syndrome; cervicalgia; otalgia; styloid process; transcervical