# ES Information: What Else Could It Be? **URL:** \ **Category:** Newbies Guide to Eagle Syndrome\ **Created:** [June 18, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-what-else-could-it-be/1382 "2016-06-18T16:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-what-else-could-it-be/1382/1 "2016-06-18T16:43:49Z")
ES Information- If Not ES, Then What Else? Disclaimer: These answers to common questions were put together for new members to gain a head start in finding information about Eagle Syndrome; to give you confidence to discuss issues with your medical team and to encourage you to research issues further for yourselves. It was compiled by a volunteer Moderator, who does not claim to be a medical professional, merely an informed observer and patient! The sources used are personal experiences, LivingWithTheEagle members’ experiences, and research from professional publications (some of the articles can’t be read fully unless subscribed to). Many thanks to heidemt for her research and contribution, and for her example of being your own advocate and not giving up. Members are encouraged to seek medical opinion and these pages are not intended to replace that. Members are also encouraged to research more for themselves- there is more research available but with the limitation of time and neck pain, this was the best that I could do! Past discussions are useful sources of info as well; search whatever the subject is, and you’ll often find someone who’s been through it too! There are some quite common conditions which could also cause the common ES symptoms and some unusual ones! But also quite a few members have had other conditions alongside ES, and there are certainly a few which seem to be linked, like TMJD/TMD, Parathyroid gland disorders – several members have mentioned having disorders of the parathyroid gland, thyroid gland, and metabolism of Calcium and Vitamin D. Also in recent times more members are being diagnosed with ES alongside Dysautonomia & Cranial Instability ( [Eagles and craniocervical instability, dysautonomia?](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/eagles-and-craniocervical-instability-dysautonomia/5984) ), Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Chiari Syndrome. Atlas rotation can also potentially cause problems too, which could affect the styloids, or possibly cause the same symptoms, so worth looking at in scan images. To see if you might have CCI (which can possibly cause IJV compression by the C1 processes if the C1 is out of alignment), @PatientD posted this info: ‘On instability topic, here are my practical tests to check yourself. Look in mirror - is your head slightly tilted to one side, is one shoulder higher than the other, if so is the hip higher on one side than other (put hands on hips), is one leg slightly shorter than other - get friend or family to help - wear flat shoes - lie flat- have companion put your heels together. If one heel is slightly shorter than other they can see that & tell you. If you have many of these characteristics this may suggest you have instability issue. Our brains keep our eyes even with the horizon & will alter body below in order to do that.’ Dizziness as a symptom if not ES can be caused by peripheral vestibular disorders of the inner ear, with **benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) being the single most frequent etiology overall**, followed by other peripheral disorders and central causes such as vestibular migraine. Vertebral artery compression or vertebrobasilar insufficiency is a comparatively uncommon cause. See this discussion: [Surgery scheduled with Dr. Kamran Aghayev - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/surgery-scheduled-with-dr-kamran-aghayev/22919/41) For more information on causes, see the section ES Info- What Causes Eagle Syndrome? Mentioned in research or on the forum are: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) or TMJ arthritis, odontogenic pain, sinus pain, GPN (Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia), GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease- which can cause the foreign body symptom), TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia), Laryngopharyngeal dysesthesia, Hyoid bursitis, parotid diseases, myofascial pain, Oesophageal diverticula, Migraines or cluster headaches, Vestibular migraines, Sphenopalatine neuralgia, Cervical arthritis, Temporal arteritis, chronic tonsillo-pharyngitis, hyoid bursitis, Sluder’s syndrome, Glossodynia, salivary gland disease, POTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome), DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis), SCDS (Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome), TOS (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, there seems to be some commonality alongside ES as well ), Barre-Lieou, Trotter’s syndrome, Morgagni’s Sinus Syndrome and Ernest Syndrome. Another suggestion thanks to @TML is SCM sydrome which apparently causes similar symptoms: [Differential screen and treatment of sternocleidomastoid syndrome versus eagle syndrome: a case report - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36384424/) Also after surgery didn’t resolve her symptoms, member Christy was diagnosed with Arcuate Foramina Bridge which can affect nerves & compress blood vessels in the neck, but has also had treatment for TMJD: > [@First Timer Questions](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/first-timer-questions/4773/182): > > Oh happy day!!! I just had the most fabulous and productive Dr.’s appointment I ever had!! I met with a top Oral and Maxillofacial Dr. who practices in my area but also teaches classes at UCLA. It’s so refreshing to sit down for nearly 2hrs being heard by an extremely knowledgeable Doctor!!! God really lead me to him and placed me in the right hands!! I couldn’t believe he knew all about Eagle Syndrome and is currently working on bringing awareness to the medical field!! He feels it’s highly m… And also ponticulus posticus, similar to above I think, here’s a link: [SHAHIDI (2021): Evaluating the relation between the elongated styloid process and the ponticulus posticus using cone beam computed tomography - General / Research Papers - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/shahidi-2021-evaluating-the-relation-between-the-elongated-styloid-process-and-the-ponticulus-posticus-using-cone-beam-computed-tomography/9494) And several members have been diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome- a vascular compression syndrome of the renal vein- which can cause a back up in the venous system and potential symptoms similar to jugular compression but renal symptoms too. Have fun googling those! ---
**Author:** ![Dia87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/fbc32d/32.png) [@Dia87](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Dia87)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 6:39am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-what-else-could-it-be/1382/2 "2019-12-12T06:39:50Z")
I found another possible causes for most of the symptoms which is pterygoid hamulus bursitis/syndrome. This is a very rare condition, rarer than ES. ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 4:22am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-what-else-could-it-be/1382/3 "2019-12-13T04:22:23Z")
Yes. We’ve had one member that actually had that & had surgery for it at the same time as having ES surgery. I had totally forgotten about it until you sent your post. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. ---
**Author:** ![Dia87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/fbc32d/32.png) [@Dia87](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Dia87)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-what-else-could-it-be/1382/4 "2019-12-13T16:36:39Z")
Happy to help.I just thought that any info that beneficial for me will definitely benefits others too. Compare to ES, surgery for this is less invansive. ---
**Author:** ![dharmadel](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/dharmadel/32/2522_2.png) [@dharmadel](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/dharmadel)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-what-else-could-it-be/1382/5 "2020-03-21T21:23:10Z")
I just added my new info under general discussion…I believe I have a new puzzle piece and while I do not have “normal” or “typical” ES maybe it can help someone else! ---
**Author:** ![dharmadel](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/dharmadel/32/2522_2.png) [@dharmadel](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/dharmadel)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-what-else-could-it-be/1382/7 "2020-03-21T22:59:51Z")
That makes sense…thanks for the input I really need it right now! The gland is really big and painful…it is bigger than when that scan was taken. I will keep your input in mind when I see the DR. again.