Hi All here is the imaging for eagles that I had done
I was told the calcification was mild but keep hearing conflicting opinions.
Talking to Abie Mendelson on Friday but would love thoughts beforehand. I am more symptomatic on the left.
Have you guys seen people with this level of calcification have extreme debilitating symptoms and has surgery resolved it? Also wondering if anyone has done glossopharengeal blocks instead of surgery and had success temporarily or long term?
More photos
Jaw hidden so you can see calcification more clearly - also if theres any other imaging or things to really solidify diagnosis I’d love to hear what would be best. I have a constrast allergy so can’t do that
@alexandra.p - You have bilateral ponticulus posticus/arcuate foramen. Your left calcified stylohyoid ligament, though not super long, is very curved inward & quite pointed. Both of those physical features could be contributing to symptoms alongside the ponticulus posticus/arcuate foramen. Though the calcified section of stylohyoid ligament on the right is longer than the styloid, your right styloid looks longer than normal to me & also has a curve to it. Both could be contributing to symptoms on the right.
In the first image you posted, it looks like you have a partial arcuate foramen situation on C2 as well (see annotated images below). Additionally, you have lost most of your cervical lordotic curve & have developed what’s known as military neck. The loss of the curve brings your styloids closer to nerves & blood vessels in your neck causing a greater risk of irritation to both. The curve can be restored but it takes patience, diligence & time. This is a problem most of our members have including me. Here’s some guidance as to how to approach that:
It will be interesting to learn what Dr. Mendelson thinks when you see him. Please make sure to get his opinion about the posticus ponticulus situation & it’s possible contribution to your symptoms.
We have seen members with symptoms from calcifications like yours, the sections of calcified ligaments can still poke nerves, and irritate them, yours look quite sharp, especially the left calcification, and the right styloid process, so it’s certainly possible… I hope your appointment goes well!
Thank you! Do you know if any members have felt like theres something digging into their palette? so much worse when laying down/ turning head/ looking up etc. Trying to sort out what could be causing that sensation. When I swallow it feels like something is stabbing me back in that palette area
Certainly stabbing is common around the tonsils area, if that’s where you mean, the styloids can grow at an angle to poke about that area, and also nerve can be affected and give those sensations.
We’ve also had some members with elongated pterygoid process/ hamulus which can cause poking sensations in the mouth, so depending on where the sensation is that might be worth looking into?
