Abstract:
Ossification of stylohyoid chain corresponds to the ossification of
stylohyoid ligament that can vary from thin short to thick long
ossification and can be associated with other calcifications. We report
in this case a bilateral non painful complete ossification of the
stylohyoid complex extended to the thyrohyoidien ligament.
Key clinical message: Ossification and elongation of the
stylohyoid chain can cause neck and facial symptoms, known as Eagle’s
syndrome. Nonetheless, a bilateral ossified and elongated stylohyoid
chain associated with ossification of the thyro-hyoid ligament may be
not painful.
Keywords: stylohyoid ligament, eagle syndrome, tyro-hyoid
ligament, styloid chain, pseudarthroses
A 53-year-old man consulted the dental medicine department for a dental
check up. A routine conventional dental radiographic exam was performed
and showed bilateral ossification of the stylohyoid complex (figure 1),
then confirmed by a lateral neck x-ray (figure 2) that showed
ossification of the styloid chain (Styloid Process, stylohyoid ligament
and lesser cornua of the hyoid bone) extended to the thyrohyoidien
ligament .
The patient had no pain, with very restricted head and neck movements.
He reported the history of severe cervical trauma caused by a fall down
stairs 30 years ago.
CT scans of the neck showed an elongated and heavily ossified styloid
process, the stylohyoidien ligament extending to the lesser cornua of
the hyoid bone with three pseudarthroses, associated with a bilateral
ossification of the thyrohyoid ligaments (figure 3).
Usually , the mineralization of the stylohoid ligament complex cause
oro-facial pain defining the Eagle’s syndrome [1,2], however it can
be non painful and discovered incidentally as in our case. A previous
cervical trauma or surgery has been frequently reported as a the main
cause [2].
[1] Chebbi R et al. Elongated styloid process as a cause of facial
pain joint bone spine. 2014 Jul;81(4):368. doi:
10.1016/j.jbspin.2014.03.007.
[2] Y. Sudrat et al. Eagle’s syndrome: a case report with multiples
calcifications. Med Buccale Chir Buccale 2008; 14 : 97-102.