Variants of Ossification in the Stylohyoid Chain

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the age-related differences in the incidence, length and topographic location of ossification in the stylohyoid chain. Panoramic radiographs of 420 patients (795 reviewed stylohyoid-chains), subdivided into 4 age groups (20 years and under, 21 to 40 years, 41 to 60 years, older than 60 years) were reviewed and examined for the incidence, length and topographic location of stylohyoidal ossification. 245 (30.8%) out of 795 reviewed stylohyoidal chains showed radiological variabilities (elongation of the styloid process and/or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament). With increasing age, there was an increase in the incidence and length of stylohyoidal ossifications (p<0.01). A significant linear correlation between the length of the stylohyoidal ossifications and age was only found in the young age group (under 20 yrs.; p<0.01). In the young age group (under 20yrs), there was also a higher prevalence of isolated locations in the superior stylohyoidal segment. With increasing age, there was a pronounced presence of ossifications in the middle and inferior stylohyoid segments and combinations of ossified variabilities. Stylohyoidal ossifications show age-related differences in incidence, length and topographical location. Stylohyoid ossifications gain a different importance in adult patients than in juvenile patients.

[1]  E. Piehslinger,et al.  The incidence and influence of abnormal styloid conditions on the etiology of craniomandibular functional disorders. , 1999, Cranio : the journal of craniomandibular practice.

[2]  P. Hazarika,et al.  Elongated styloid process: an overview. , 1990, International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

[3]  V. Ferrario,et al.  Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament: incidence and morphoquantitative evaluations. , 1990, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[4]  M. Oka,et al.  Does Eagle's syndrome always require operative intervention for treatment? Two case reports. , 1989, Cranio : the journal of craniomandibular practice.

[5]  C. Deschamps,et al.  I. Stylohyoid chain ossification: a discussion of etiology. , 1989, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[6]  J. McCoy,et al.  Eagle's syndrome: a comparison of intraoral versus extraoral surgical approaches. , 1986, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[7]  W. Young,et al.  Variability of the styloid process and stylohyoid ligament in panoramic radiographs. , 1986, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[8]  J. Campbell,et al.  The clinical significance of the elongated styloid process. , 1986, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[9]  J. Jensen,et al.  Mineralization of the stylohyoid-stylomandibular ligament complex. A radiographic incidence study. , 1979, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[10]  S. Kaufman,et al.  Styloid process variation. Radiologic and clinical study. , 1970, Archives of otolaryngology.

[11]  E. Steinmann.  A new light on the pathogenesis of the styloid syndrome. , 1970, Archives of otolaryngology.

[12]  W. Hollinshead,et al.  Roentgenographic observations on the stylohyoid chain. , 1962, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[13]  J. Železný.  [On the elongated styloid process]. , 1961, Svenska lakartidningen.

[14]  W. W. Eagle.  Elongated styloid process; further observations and a new syndrome. , 1948, Archives of otolaryngology.

[15]  W. W. Eagle.  ELONGATED STYLOID PROCESSES: Report of Two Cases , 1937 .

[16]  T. Dwight.  IX. Stylo-hyoid Ossification. , 1907, Annals of surgery.

[17]  A. Ruprecht,et al.  Variation in the ossification of the stylohyoid process and ligament. , 1988, Dento maxillo facial radiology.

[18]  F. Rozas Aristy.  [Eagle's syndrome. Report of a case]. , 1987, Revista médica de Panamá.