Eagle syndrome

@madhavshrma -

In the two images above, look at the angle of your left styloid compared to your right one. The left one goes in behind your mandible (lower jaw bone) whereas your right one runs parallel to your lower jaw bone. The angles the styloids grow can affect the symptoms you have & the amount of vascular compression. The left styloid is also very thick. I realize the images are not at identical angles, but I’d still guess your left styloid is growing more inward than your right one. I can’t say what symptoms either one would cause.



In image #3, you can see your left greater hyoid horn poking into the carotid bifurcation or the carotid sinus which is definitely a problem. In image #4 the left greater horn appears to be behind your ECA but could still be irritating or compressing it when you move your head & neck.


In image 5, it appears your left styloid may be compression your internal carotid artery, but again, it’s hard to tell due to the angle of the structures in the image & because the whole left styloid isn’t visible.


In image 6, I pointed out two outgrowths on your C1 vertebra. The one on the right is fairly significant & could be contributing to IJV compression on that side. The one on the left is probably insignificant.


In image #7, I noted that you have military neck. Your lordotic cervical spine curve is nearly gone. This cervical spine change brings the styloids & potentially hyoid bone closer to nerves & vascular tissues in the neck. You can do some simple gentle exercises to gradually restore the cervical curve. This discussion has some good information about that: List of my favourite resources on YouTube to learn anatomy

Based on your complaints about clicking, popping, etc. when you swallow, I think you should get your hyoid bone checked & potentially have the greater horn on the left resected. The right might need it to, but your imaging didn’t show much on that side. Since the left is what’s causing you problems, start there. You will likely need to consider having your styloids shortened at some point, but the hyoid bone surgery may help significantly reduce your worst symptoms for now.

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