Sudden unexpected death probably due to Eagle's syndrome: a case report.

An abnormally long styloid process producing autonomic effects gives rise to Eagle's syndrome. Sudden deaths have not been previously reported. We present the case of a 39-year-old female who died of probable vagus mediated cardiac inhibition due to Eagle's syndrome. The diagnosis was established only after the autopsy examination, which revealed the elongation of the styloid processes in the form of fibrous membranes, compressing both carotid sinuses. The anatomical changes were not visible in the radiological films.