Eagle's syndrome

In patients with chronic pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or upper cervical region, particularly when they also complain of a foreign body feeling in their throat and dysphagia, treating physicians should always consider Eagle's syndrome as part of the differential diagnosis. An elongated or unfavourably angled styloid process and/or ossifications of the stylohyoid ligament can be the causes of symptoms. In most cases, panoramic imaging is sufficient to diagnose this condition. Given the diagnosis, resection of the elongated process via an intraoral approach should be considered. For oral and maxillofacial surgeons, it is important to keep Eagle's syndrome in mind as part of the differential diagnosis, especially in patients with chronic, treatment-refractory pain.