The Eagle pain syndrome: a case report

Abstract

Background

A patient is presented with signs and symptoms that suggest an Eagle syndrome. The 42-year-old woman was referred by the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department to our outpatient pain clinic for a test block of the glossopharyngeal nerve. The reason to perform a test block was to support the indication for surgical removal of the styloid process.

Conclusion

The diagnosis and treatment of the Eagle syndrome still remain difficult. Due to the large percentage of asymptomatic subjects with a proven elongated styloid process and an extensive differential diagnosis, the Eagle syndrome is typically a diagnosis by exclusion. Evaluation by an ENT-specialist, neurologist, and dental surgeon is always appropriate first. The first choice of treatment in the Eagle syndrome is always conservative. Local infiltration, whether or not combined with neuropathic medication, is a first treatment option. Surgical removal of the styloid process has to be a treatment of last resort because of possible development of a ‘First-bite syndrome’. In the Eagle syndrome, test blocks around the styloid process should have a more prominent place in the diagnosis.

Keywords:

• Eagle syndrome
• Stylohyoid ligament
• Neck pain
• Throat pain
• Glossopharyngeal nerve block