A holistic approach to stylalgia.

A follow-up study was performed on 20 patients surgically treated because of stylalgia (Eagle's Syndrome). The aim of the study was to investigate why somatic treatment was often ineffective; furthermore, if there was a psychosomatic background to the complaints. The results of a psychiatric interview in which 11 patients took part clearly showed that most of them were suffering primarily from a psychiatric disorder. The question of stylalgia only as a form of atypical facial pain is discussed.