Extreme Case of an Eagle-Syndrome with Diffuse Unilateral Pain in Maxilla and TMJ

Objective: Eagle syndrome (ES) is a pain syndrome caused by an elongated styloid apophysis or an ossified styloid ligament. It is characterized by a complex range of symptoms in head and neck region. The most effective treatment is surgical shortening of the styloid apophysis. Case: The authors report of a case of a 53-year old woman, suffering from Eagle-syndrome, presenting with a two-week history of unilateral in pain of the maxilla and TMJ. Further the authors performed a follow-up examination six years after surgical treatment via cervical approach. Conclsions: Surgical treatment via cervical approach appears to be an effective and safe option with low morbidity and mortality in treatment of symptomatic Eagle-syndrome of adults. Keywords: Eagle syndrome, styloid process, styloid apophasis, styloid syndrome, parapharyngeal approach