title: Elongated styloid process evaluation on digital panoramic radiograph in a North Italian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of elongated styloid process in digital panoramic radiographs in a North Italian population in relation to age, gender and side.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed as a retrospective analysis on digital panoramic radiographs of 600 (271 males and 329 females) Italian patients between 6 and 87 years old. The styloid process length were measured using the measuring tool of Sidexis Software. It was measured from the point where it left the temporal bone plate to its tip. Styloid processes measuring more than 30 mm were considered elongated. Chi-squared and Fisher tests were used and the test is considered significant if thep-value is lower or equal to 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three per cent of the patients showed an elongated styloid process. Seventeen per cent were elongated on both right and left side, fifteen point nine per cent were elongated only in one side.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of elongated styloid process was high and a progressive increase of the elongation prevalence was found in older groups.Key words:Elongated styloid process, Eagle's syndrome, panoramic radiograph.
authors.affiliation: Prof, Department of Neuroscience, School of Dentistry, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gracco
authors.affiliation: DDS, Department of Neuroscience, School of Dentistry, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Stefani
authors.affiliation: DDS, Department of Neuroscience, School of Dentistry, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Dr, Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balasso
authors.affiliation: Prof, Department of Orthodontics, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandri-Bonetti
authors.affiliation: Prof, Department of Neuroscience, School of Dentistry, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stellini