Variants of ossification in the stylohyoid chain.

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 20 yrs), 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.