After 6 years constant research and number of doctors I found something interesting.
Recently I have been diagnosed with my Dentist that I have Eagle syndrome. I have been getting pain whole right side neck to all the way to up.
Symptoms :
one side severe Pain from Neck to All the way to top ( bump got created on head right side , constanlty it will be there)
Nerve pinch near neck both the sides last couple of years
huge fatigue and Brain fog for last couple of years.
One side throat uncomfort one side ( right side)
My neck make sounds ( tak ..tak)
Right jaw was paining ( that’s where I ended up going to Dentist, where currently it is good,after using couple of medications reduc pain and inflammation in neck)
Both the sides of my head feels like something holding me tightly but it is not pain.
I would greatly appreciate , if you could give some direction.
I’m sorry you’ve been suffering for so long! Some of the symptoms you’ve mentioned sound like you may have internal jugular vein (IJV) compression being caused by your elongated styloid(s). Those are brain fog & both sides of your head feeling like something is squeezing them.
Have you had a CT scan yet to officially diagnose ES or just the panoramic x-ray or CBCT scan your dentist did? If you haven’t had a CT can yet, you should get one with contrast. If you notice your symptoms get worse when your head is turned left or right/looking up or down, you should ask the doctor who refers you for the CT to order it with some images taken with your head in the position(s) that make your head pressure worse.
Your other symptoms sound more nerve related & those often reduce or go away once the styloids are removed. Unfortunately, the vascular compression sometimes requires more specialized surgery as there are times when part of the C1 vertebra needs to be shaved off to make more room for the (IJV). That also requires a more specialized surgeon. We do know of someone in TX who does that surgery so you wouldn’t need to leave your state.
Hi and welcome!
I hope that you’re able to get a CT scan to see if your styloid processes are elongated- if you haven’t already had that? If your dentist took a panoramic x-ray while you were there, then the styloids can often be seen on those images too. And hopefully you can get a referral to Dr Welch!
Good that the painkillers you were given are keeping your pain under control too, ice and / or heat can also help…
@ipg - You can upload your pano x-ray here & we can look for your styloids if that would be helpful for you. Just make sure to remove any personal info (name, birthdate, etc) from the image before posting it on the forum.
@ipg
Clearly your ENT doesn’t know what to look for in a panoramic x-ray. Your styloids are definitely long. The right (left side of the image) looks a bit like a tree branch & the left one is quite curved. I’d say based on your symptoms & the fact you have elongated styloid, you have ES. I’m not a doctor though so my opinion can’t be considered a true diagnosis.
I’ve circled your styloids so you can see where they are. If they’re not longer than normal, they can’t be seen on a pano x-ray.
@ipg - Thank you for posting your images & report. I’m sorry I still can’t see your styloids. Your lower jaw bone is in the way in both pictures & the two axial images aren’t deep enough in your neck.
The good news is that your radiology report notes that your styloids are elongated & thick. The thickness alone can play a significant role in causing symptoms so when length is added, symptoms can be even worse.
You can try using radiantviewer.com (for PCs) to make your CT images into 3D pictures or Bee Dicom Viewer App (for Macs). That would make it easier to see your styloids.
Yes, I agree with @Isaiah_40_31 that your styloids don’t show that well in the images you posted, but great the radiologist has measured them & well done to your dentist!
One thing I did notice on your CT which wasn’t commented on is your hyoid bone; it’s the most unusually shaped one I think I’ve seen and looks like the processes are curving upwards! If the hyoid bone processes are long, or angled it can cause pain in the throat, a strangled sensation, and clicking sounds in the throat…it may be that it’s not causing you any issues, but wanted to mention it.
In addition to Dr Welch who @Isaiah_40_31 mentioned, I think a couple of our members have seen a Dr Nathan Hales in San Antonio, I don’t know if he’s any nearer to you. He’s not on our list; I’m not sure if that’s an oversight on my part, maybe @Isaiah_40_31 can remember if there was a reason or just my poor memory
Here’s a link to a discussion about him: New ES surgeon (San Antonio, TX), experience with recent styloidectomy - General / Eagle Syndrome Stories - Living with Eagle
If you think that you have symptoms from your hyoid bone, then there are different doctors who treat that , we can suggest some names for that.
@ipg - I totally missed your hyoid bone shape. Good catch on @Jules part. It looks like the greater horns of your hyoid bone are curved up & touching your lower jaw bone. That is indeed very different than anything we’ve seen. As Jules also said, it’s unclear whether or not that is causing a problem. It would definitely be worthwhile discussing that with any doctors you consult for ES.
The other thing of note is that your cervical spine is totally straight. When it loses it’s natural curve, that can cause the styloids & hyoid bone to move closer to nerves & blood vessels in the neck. It is possible to restore the curve with gentle PT exercises but it takes a number of months & lots of patience.
I remember Dr. Hales used to be on our Doctors List & since he is no longer there, I’m guessing maybe he either retired or is no longer doing ES surgeries.
