Rishi Thukral, Animesh Barodiya, Shitij Bhargava, Naman Awasthi

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of styloid process elongation (SPE) in Central India population and to investigate the SPE incidences in relation to the age subgroups, gender, types of calcification, unilateral or bilateral occurrence and symptomatic presentation. Methods: 407 PRs with their clinical record were randomly retrieved from the archival records at Oral Diagnosis Department of People’s University Bhopal, India. The subjects were divided into 4 age subgroups: 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60 years and older. Kodak 8000C Digital Panoramic system was used to make the radiographs.. The length of the styloid process and/or ossification of stylohyoid ligament which were longer than 30 mm were considered as elongated. Results. Out of 407, 65 OPGs (15.97%) showed styloid complex ossification, 36 OPGs of male patients and 29 OPGs of female patient showed styloid process elongation (SPE). Only 5 OPGs showed pseudo articulated styloid process, 8 OPGs showed segmented styloid process and rest 52 OPGs showed elongated type of ossification. In 53.8% cases elongation was bilaterally and in 46.2% cases elongation was unilaterally present. The highest prevelance of SPE was seen in age group of 30-39 years. Only 3 Patients had cervicopharyngeal symptoms and were diagnosed to have Eagle’s syndrome. Conclusion: This study gives a preliminary data regarding SPE for this geographic region. Results suggests that there is considerable variation for the prevalence of SPE when compared to other populations Panoramic radiographs may be used for investigating the ESP in the patients presenting with complaints suggesting of SPE.