Anyone successfully get diagnosed and treated for eagle syndrome in Minnesota recently? All I could find in a Facebook group is Dr. Hamlar and he manually fractures the styloid processes by pushing on them. Doesn’t seem like the right option for me, like where do the fragments go and what damage can they cause…
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Here is the MN section of the Dr. list
•Dr. William Omlie, Surgical Consultants, 6405 France Ave S Ste W440, Edina, MN (952) 927-
7004, Dr. William Omlie, MD, Vascular Surgery Specialist - Minneapolis, MN | Sharecare 19
Dr. William Omlie works with his nephew, Dr. James Omlie, Maxillofacial Surgeon. They do
the ES surgeries together. James is the expert of the skull base area & William is the expert of
the jugular & arteries (vascular) areas.
•Dr Cha, Headache Clinic at the U of MN works with Dr Omlie, can diagnose ES & refers to Dr
Omlie.
•Dr Frank Ondrey, University of Minneapolis Medical Center 612- 625- 7400 (Does intra-oral
surgery in most cases & breaks styloid off close to normal length not at skull base. Also
questions whether neurological symptoms are related to ES) https://www.ent.umn.edu/bio/entfaculty/
frank-ondrey 10
According to a recent post here, Dr. Omlie in Minnesota, Dr. Omlie shouldn’t be on the list anymore. I’m also in the FB group and read Ali Cameron’s posts about Dr. Hamlar, and honestly, I’m glad she’s doing well and hope she never has any complications, but all the best and most experienced ES doctors remove the styloids surgically, vast majority externally, and at the skull base (which is just the term, there is basically always a little nub left). You may have to look outside of MN if possible
Yes I’m thinking outside MN is my only option!
@NBAKER - We had a member or two years ago who went to a doctor in NY (don’t know his name) but his solution for ES was just what you said Dr. Hamlar does. At least one ended up in far worse pain afterward. The theory is that if the styloids/calcified ligaments are broken into small pieces, the body will naturally absorb the calcification. I don’t know if that’s completely true because of the amount of calcium there can be between styloids & calcified s-h ligaments plus manually breaking them wouldn’t make the pieces fine enough to easily be reabsorbed.
Unfortunately, the Drs. Omlie who worked together & helped a number of our members have decided to stop doing ES surgeries. We left their names on our Doctors List in hopes that they would reconsider that decision, but it appears they have not so it may be time to remove them. If you’re willing/able to travel, there are several doctors on our list in Nebraska who’ve gotten good reviews. They’re probably the closest to you. If you think you may have internal jugular vein compression, then there are other doctors I would refer you to.
•Dr Daniel Lydiatt, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Methodist Clinic . Clinic 402- 559- 1700, Office 402- 559- 7775, Methodist Clinic 402- 354- 5890 https://www.md.com/doctor/daniel-lydiatt-md
•Dr William Lydiatt, 8303 Dodge St., Omaha, NE, (402) 354-5244, https://providers.bestcare.org/provider/William+M.+Lydiatt/1494487
•Dr Coughlin, Methodist Hospital, Omaha (Head and Neck Oncologist, has done external skull base surgery 7-10 times, and steroid injections) https://www.mhsdoctors.com/physicians/11116003
Thank you. I definitely want someone with a lot of experience because I’m on a blood thinner so that just elevates the whole situation.
I’m willing to travel for someone with a lot of experience.
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I don’t think I have any jugular compression.
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@NBAKER - Dr. Cognetti in Philadelphia has a lot of ES experience but I heard he’s booking initial consults in October at this point because his priority is his cancer patients. Dr. Hackman in Chapel Hill, NC, also is very experienced & is likely not booking so far ahead as he makes ES patients more of a priority.
I’m glad you don’t have IJV compression!!
Definitely not a good idea! We have had this happen to a couple of members…crazy that a doctor could think this might help 
You can use the search function on the site for any doctors names to see how they do their surgeries etc. But definitely steer clear of the snapping styloids doctor!
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check out my thread about going to Dr. Coughlin in NE, very experienced with ES. When I researched Drs last fall I found both Lydiatts are retired/not doing ES anymore.
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I was diagnosed in Minnesota at the Minnesota Craniofacial TMJ/Sleep Clinic. They referred me to Dr. Henry Chang EMT for Eagles Syndrome. He is in St. Paul at HealthPartners clinic.
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Thank you! Does Dr. Chang perform surgeries, or just help with non-surgery treatment options?
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Quite honestly, I am not sure. He is a surgeon though and I was referred to him. I see him on June 5, this year. I will know more after my visit. I am newly diagnosed with Eagles Syndrome in January this year after a CT scan for TMJ. I had never heard of Eagles. I had throat issues I have attributed to allergies all these years. It is in fact from Eagles and tongue tie…something else I did not realize I had. Many surprises from one visit to get a TMJ appliance. 
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Oh ok! I am very new to this too, waiting on a confirmed diagnosis. I have a virtual consultation with a surgeon who has experience with eagle syndrome out of state on Tuesday.
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@Deb7 & @NBAKER, I think most of us were in the “I had never heard of Eagles” boat when we were diagnosed, & I hate to say “Welcome to the club” but there it is! I hope you both find the right surgeons to help you ASAP! When the styloids are cut back short enough, the most common outcome is symptoms relief though it can take some months after surgery for symptoms to gradually fade away. It’s rare for someone w/ ES to wake up from surgery & feel cured. Just know that we’re all here for you all along your journey to recovery from ES. 
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I wish you well. Hope you get the answers you need to go forward. I try to just go day by day otherwise it can be very daunting. I am hopeful. 
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Thank you for your encouragement. It is helpful to talk to people who understand the diagnosis. I hope to know more after my appointment in June. 
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Yes I agree trying to take it day by day. So overwhelming! It’s great to have this forum where people understand. I think my mom thinks I’m crazy lol
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It’s hard when family don’t understand! Could you get her to read the info on common symptoms & what might cause them? Maybe that’ll convince her you’re not mad?
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They have found two skulls of women from the Late halocene era in Argentina who they believe have had eagle syndrome.
Just tell your mom that it is like having two nail spikes attached to your skull that are banging about. The depth of damage depends on the person’s anatomy. It could cause you to have a major stroke if dissects your carotid artery . Show her pics from some of the carotid artery cases where it has done that . I think she might get the picture!
Or you can pull up my carotid artery 3d pic and imagine how that thing could be causing some of my issues as I turn my body. Mine is only protected by a thin fat strip
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Have you had imaging? Dr Cha (Neurologist) at M Health Fairview is awesome! She is familiar with these conditions and out of state providers you see listed on this site. She wants her CT to be performed at the Fulton Str clinic and she is particular on how the CT is performed, different movements of the head. It may take a while to see her, but keep calling if there is a cancellation. I also had two office visits with Dr Hamler, nice provider, I had surgery scheduled and cancelled the day of surgery, because I got a call from Dr Nakaji’s office in AZ, in my case I am glad i cancelled. My styloids are not that long…it is my anatomy that there is no space between styloid and C1 causing complete occlusion of IJV.
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