Eagles’ syndrome: is it the longest styloid process length to date? A case report and an overview of the literature

Eagle syndrome is a rare condition that occurs when the styloid process, a bony projection in the skull, becomes elongated and causes pain in the head, neck, and face. The causes of Eagle syndrome are not entirely clear, but it is believed to be related to a genetic predisposition or trauma to the head or neck. The most common symptoms of Eagle syndrome include a sharp pain in the throat or ear, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of a foreign object in the throat. Other symptoms may include headaches, facial pain, and neck pain. Diagnosis of Eagle syndrome can be challenging as symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions such as myofascial pain syndromes, glossopharyngeal or trigeminal neuralgias, migraine and cervical arthritis. However, proper diagnosis can be established by performing adequate physical examination, taking clear medical history, and full workup including imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to confirm the diagnosis.