open access

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)
Original article
Submitted: 2018-07-12
Accepted: 2018-08-15
Published online: 2018-09-17
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Investigation of the styloid process length in a Greek population

N. Zokaris1, I. Siska2, K. Natsis3, M. Piagkou4, Nikolaos Lazaridis3, A. Skolka5, E. Piehslinger5
·
Pubmed: 30234898
·
Folia Morphol 2019;78(2):378-388.
Affiliations
  1. Prosthodontics Department, 251 Hellenic Air Force General and VA Hospital, Athens, Greece
  2. Oral Radiology Department, 251 Hellenic Air Force General and VA Hospital, Athens, Greece
  3. Department of Anatomy and Surgical Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  4. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health and Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
  5. Prosthodontics Department, Dental School, Medical University of Vienna, Austria

open access

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2018-07-12
Accepted: 2018-08-15
Published online: 2018-09-17

Abstract

Background: The styloid process (SP) is a slender cylindrical bony projection of the temporal bone with 2 ligaments and 3 muscles attached to it. Symptomatic SP elongation is also referred to, as Eagle’s syndrome. The aim of the present study is to investigate the distribution of the SP length in a young adult Greek population. 

Materials and methods: Moreover, we provide a comparison of the results by using two different methods for assessing SP elongation, as described in the lite- rature. Finally, we explore the possibility of using orthopantomograms (OPGs), as a diagnostic aid by investigating inter-examiner, intra-examiner and inter-exami- nation variability and we propose a limit for SP elongation measurable in OPGs. 

Results: The sample comprised 805 digital OPGs, taken from student pilots and engineers entering the Hellenic Air Force Academy, from 2008 onwards. Two measuring approaches were selected, one using the temporal bone, as a cranial landmark and the other, using the external auditory meatus. The end tip of the process was always the caudal landmark. The mean SP length was 28.42 ± ± 8.48 mm in males and 26.04 ± 7.69 mm in females, when measured from the temporal bone. The mean SP length was 38.35 ± 8.90 mm in males and 34.24 ± ± 8.63 mm in females, when measured from the external auditory meatus. The length of 30 mm is most commonly used as a starting point for SP elongation. In the total sample, 30.6% of the measured SPs exceeded the length of 30 mm. In males, 33.12% of the SPs were elongated; while in females the corresponding incidence was 20%. One hundred and nineteen (14.8%) SPs were not traceable. 

Conclusions: The SP is typically detectable and measurable in OPGs. An elonga- ted SP should be kept in mind, since symptoms of elongation may overlap with clinical manifestations of temporomandibular joint disorders. 

Abstract

Background: The styloid process (SP) is a slender cylindrical bony projection of the temporal bone with 2 ligaments and 3 muscles attached to it. Symptomatic SP elongation is also referred to, as Eagle’s syndrome. The aim of the present study is to investigate the distribution of the SP length in a young adult Greek population. 

Materials and methods: Moreover, we provide a comparison of the results by using two different methods for assessing SP elongation, as described in the lite- rature. Finally, we explore the possibility of using orthopantomograms (OPGs), as a diagnostic aid by investigating inter-examiner, intra-examiner and inter-exami- nation variability and we propose a limit for SP elongation measurable in OPGs. 

Results: The sample comprised 805 digital OPGs, taken from student pilots and engineers entering the Hellenic Air Force Academy, from 2008 onwards. Two measuring approaches were selected, one using the temporal bone, as a cranial landmark and the other, using the external auditory meatus. The end tip of the process was always the caudal landmark. The mean SP length was 28.42 ± ± 8.48 mm in males and 26.04 ± 7.69 mm in females, when measured from the temporal bone. The mean SP length was 38.35 ± 8.90 mm in males and 34.24 ± ± 8.63 mm in females, when measured from the external auditory meatus. The length of 30 mm is most commonly used as a starting point for SP elongation. In the total sample, 30.6% of the measured SPs exceeded the length of 30 mm. In males, 33.12% of the SPs were elongated; while in females the corresponding incidence was 20%. One hundred and nineteen (14.8%) SPs were not traceable. 

Conclusions: The SP is typically detectable and measurable in OPGs. An elonga- ted SP should be kept in mind, since symptoms of elongation may overlap with clinical manifestations of temporomandibular joint disorders. 

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Keywords

temporomandibular disorders; Eagle’s syndrome; styloid syndrome; styloid process; elongation

About this article
Title

Investigation of the styloid process length in a Greek population

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)

Article type

Original article

Pages

378-388

Published online

2018-09-17

Page views

2314

Article views/downloads

1177

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2018.0087

Pubmed

30234898

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2019;78(2):378-388.

Keywords

temporomandibular disorders
Eagle’s syndrome
styloid syndrome
styloid process
elongation

Authors

N. Zokaris
I. Siska
K. Natsis
M. Piagkou
Nikolaos Lazaridis
A. Skolka
E. Piehslinger

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