PURPOSE: To assess the diagnosis and treatment of stylohyoid syndrome. METHODS: The clinical data of 23 patients with stylohyoid syndrome were analyzed retrospectively,the symptoms,age,gender, length of styloid process, and clinical signs were investigated in their relationship to the disease onset , the value of styloidectomy via transoral and extraoral approach was compared. RESULTS: (1) Pain and foreign body sensation in oropharyngeal area accounted for 83%(19/23) of the symptoms ,followed by 43%(10/23) of headache, tongueache and periauricular discomfort. (2) Females were more often affected than males. The age peak was 50s and 30s ,accounting for 43%(10/23) and 30%(7/23) respectively. (3) 91%(21/23) of the excised styloid processes were longer than 3cm in length, 9% (2/23) of them shorter than 3cm but with abnormality in shape. (4) 57%(13/23) of the elongated styloid processes could be palpated transorally. (5) Through extraoral approach, all kinds of diseased styloid processes could be excised thoroughly and safely. CONCLUSIONS: Stylohyoid syndrome is one of the causes of head and neck pain. A complete medical history , careful palpation of the oral pharyngeal area, and radiographic examination are essential for the diagnosis. Styloidectomy by extraoral approach is effective for curing of the disease.
PURPOSE: To assess the diagnosis and treatment of stylohyoid syndrome. METHODS: The clinical data of 23 patients with stylohyoid syndrome were analyzed retrospectively,the symptoms,age,gender, length of styloid process, and clinical signs were investigated in their relationship to the disease onset , the value of styloidectomy via transoral and extraoral approach was compared. RESULTS: (1) Pain and foreign body sensation in oropharyngeal area accounted for 83%(19/23) of the symptoms ,followed by 43%(10/23) of headache, tongueache and periauricular discomfort. (2) Females were more often affected than males. The age peak was 50s and 30s ,accounting for 43%(10/23) and 30%(7/23) respectively. (3) 91%(21/23) of the excised styloid processes were longer than 3cm in length, 9% (2/23) of them shorter than 3cm but with abnormality in shape. (4) 57%(13/23) of the elongated styloid processes could be palpated transorally. (5) Through extraoral approach, all kinds of diseased styloid processes could be excised thoroughly and safely. CONCLUSIONS:Stylohyoid syndrome is one of the causes of head and neck pain. A complete medical history , careful palpation of the oral pharyngeal area, and radiographic examination are essential for the diagnosis. Styloidectomy by extraoral approach is effective for curing of the disease.