Eagle's syndrome-A non-perceived differential diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder.
BACKGROUND
This article unveils a case of the classic styloid syndrome and states that panoramic imaging and ultrasound can be an alternative to computed tomography. In addition, the endoscope-assisted extraoral approach using CT-based navigation is useful. Eagle's Syndrome is an aggregate of symptoms described by Eagle in 1937. He described different forms: the classic styloid syndrome consisting of elongation of the styloid process which causes pain. Second, the stylo-carotid-artery syndrome which is responsible for transient ischemic attack or stroke.


METHODS
Using the example of a 66 years old male patient suffering from long term pain, we explain our diagnostic and surgical approach. After dissecting the styloid process of the right side using an extraoral approach, the pain ceased and the patient could be discharged without any recurrence of the pain up to this point.


CONCLUSIONS
Eagle's syndrome, with its similar symptoms, is rather difficult to differentiate from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), but can be easily excluded from possible differential diagnoses of TMD using panoramic radiographs and ultrasound.


CONCLUSIONS
Making use of low cost and easily accessible diagnostic workup techniques can reveal this particular cause for chronic pain restricting quality of life. Thereby differentiation from the TMD symptomatic complex is possible.
Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: Philipp.nikolaus.thoenissen@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
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P
Thoenissen
Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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G
Bittermann
Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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R
Schmelzeisen
Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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T
Oshima
Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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T
Fretwurst
Diagnostic imaging; Eagle’s Syndrome; Head and neck pain; Surgery; TMD