title: Evaluation of Elongated Styloid Process in Patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis Using Panoramic Radiographs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is an insidious disease affecting the oral cavity, pharynx, and upper digestive tract. It is characterized by a juxtaepithelial inflammatory reaction followed by fibroelastic change in the lamina propria and associated epithelial atrophy. Higher levels of TGF-β present in patients with OSF could be responsible for impetus to remnants of Reichert's cartilage present in styloid complex leading to partial or complete ossification of associated ligaments. So, a study was conducted to evaluate the elongation of the styloid process in patients with OSF by using panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Panoramic radiographs of patients with OSF were studied from 2007-2011. The apparent lengths of styloid process were measured with the help of divider and steel metric ruler. The length of the styloid process and/or ossification of stylomandibular ligaments which were longer than 30 mm were considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 47 patients, 35 patients (34 males & 1 female) met the inclusion criteria. Eleven patients (31.4%) were found to have elongated styloid processes which included 10 male patients and 1 female patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It had been estimated that between 2 % and 4% of the general population presents radiographic evidence of an ossified portion of the styloid complex. The high incidence of elongation of styloid process (31.4 %) in patients with oral submucous fibrosis highlights that progressive OSF might have some influence on elongation of styloid process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka 577004 India.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Shivakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India.
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Batra
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka 577004 India.
authors.forename: Amarnath P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Upasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka 577004 India.
authors.forename: Kirthi Kumar
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Rai
keywords: Elongated styloid process; Oral submucous fibrosis; Ossification of stylomandibular ligament