Eagle syndrome?

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1

Hi guys have any of you looked at eagle syndrome as a cause of pain? it was something that I had always discounted,because of belief of true neuralgia, but something encouraged me to look at it in a bit more depth last night and I found it really interesting. SOme of this is fitting quite well, I have throat clicks, difficulty when dry swallowing, I have had my tonsils out, which I mentioned somewhere before, albeit more than 20 years ago, anyway I found this here

http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/reprint/22/7/1401.pdf

Have a read of this, it may be of use to someone, that’s comming up with blanks, I dont know if my MRI’s covered this area or not, but I’ll certainly find out.

The actual cause of the elongation is a poorly understood
process. Several theories have been proposed:

  1. congenital elongation of the styloid process
    due to persistence of a cartilaginous analog of the
    stylohyal (one of the embryologic precursors of the
    styloid), 2) calcification of the stylohyoid ligament
    by an unknown process, and 3) growth of osseous
    tissue at the insertion of the stylohyoid ligament (3).
    The pathophysiological mechanism of symptoms
    is debated as well. Theories include the following:
  2. traumatic fracture of the styloid process causing
    proliferation of granulation tissue, which places
    pressure on the surrounding structures (7); 2) compression
    of adjacent nerves, the glossopharyngeal,
    lower branch of the trigeminal, or chorda tympani;
  3. degenerative and inflammatory changes in the
    tendonous portion of the stylohyoid insertion,
    called insertion tendonitis; 4) irritation of the pharyngeal
    mucosa by direct compression or post-tonsillectomy
    scarring (involves cranial nerves V, VII,
    IX, and X); and 5) impingement of the carotid vessels,
    producing irritation of the sympathetic nerves
    in the arterial sheath (3).
    Treatment of Eagle syndrome is both surgical
    and nonsurgical. Nonsurgical treatments include reassurance,
    nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications,
    and steroid injections (1). Surgical treatment
    is by one of two methods. Otolaryngologist W. Eagle
    preferentially used a transpharyngeal approach
    through which the elongated portion of the styloid
    process was removed (8). Although this technique
    does avoid external scarring, it has been heavily
    criticized because of the increased risk of deep
    space neck infection and poor visualization of the
    surgical field (must be performed through the
    mouth) (2, 8). Alternatively, the elongated portion
    can be removed by an extraoral approach. Although
    both procedures are effective in removing an elongated
    styloid process, the extraoral approach is
    thought to be superior because of the decreased risk
    of deep space neck infection and better visualization
    of the surgical field (2, 8).

Let me know what you think.

Lots of love

Gracie x x x
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2

Interesting, I am going to look that up, LOL in layman words, I understood quite a but, but somethings flew over my head! LOL

3

Hi Gracie, You maybe on to something here. I found another site Eagle Syndrome
I it kind of sounds like some of the symptoms of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia and Geniculate neuralgia. I am thinking maybe I should ask my doctors about this as my problem just progresses even with the treatments I have received. I do have some of those symptoms. Thank you! Diana

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You are more than welcome Diana, I hope it might help a few others too, an op on the throat is far less daunting than someone rooting around in the old noggin! I have an appointment with the chiropractor tomorrow, my first actually, and if he says me bone is too long then straight to the GP to demand a refferal on. I dont want to pin to much hope on this but I am feeling optimistic.

Lots of love Gracie.x.x.x

5

Well I will keep you in my prayers and wishing you luck with your doctors!
xoxoxox Love Diana