If the stylohyoid ligament is partially calcified, does the doctor only remove the calcified portion or remove the whole ligament?
That is good question. Mine are that way and a Dr told me he take them out but not sure if it entire thing or not.
I think different doctors do different things- would probably be best to ask your doc. How is your son?
Is a good question. I need also an answer to this. My ligaments are fully calcified. I think they fracture or remove the whole ligament. But a whole removal seems not to be easy so far I read the case reports because of accessibility.
One stop shopping on that--you do not need the Ligament its only function is to aid in swallowing your muscles take over even without the ligament, They should remove the whole thing so there is never a chance that the rest of the ligament will in the future become calcified.
Hi, Jules We had consultations with three doctors (all of them are in the recommend doctor list). They all agree surgery may help (no guarantee). Doctor 1 will do partial, he does not want to say how much he will remove, he thinks it is too risky to go too high. Doctor 2 think my son's symptoms are not typical, but if we decide to do the surgery, he suggests to remove the whole process. Doctor 3 will only remove the calcified ligament and part of elongated hyoid bone, but leave the styloid process as it is (2cm). It is very hard decision for us.
Jules said:
I think different doctors do different things- would probably be best to ask your doc. How is your son?
It does sound a worry, a big responsibility for you as a parent. How old is your son? If he has surgery, but the calcified ligament is left in, then it would presumably still give symptoms? 2cm isn't long for a styloid process, but the angle it grows at can still cause symptoms. Tough choice.
TMJ mom, I think doctor 2 is the one who would give your son the best outcome. From everything I've read and experienced in my several year saga, I can tell you that the smartest thing is to take as much out as possible. A lot of times the doctors don't understand this because they haven't seen that many cases.
I want to point out again that the doctors on the list are a starting point and they aren't really recommended per se. They have done at least one successful surgery on at least one of our members usually, but some have done unsuccessful surgeries. Every eagles case is so different and the doctors have different experiences. One of the doctors on the list who helped a couple people told me I didn't have eagles. I ended up going to another doctor on the list who did a surgery on my eagles that helped me.
I forgot to add something. The average length of a child's styloid is much shorter than that of an adult. I don't remember exactly what it was, but I think it was around 1.5 cm, which would definitely make a 2 cm styloid an elongated styloid for a child. Back when Earmom was trying to find out about the styloid length, I posted a link to a journal summary that discussed styloid measurement in children.
Mine on both sides were 100% calcified. As Jules said you would need to talk with your surgeon. Not all agree and as I was told if mine had not been 100% calcified they may not have performed the surgery. The styloid in most cases has to be more than 3 cm before most surgeons will touch them. Hope this helps.
I just checked that journal article summary. The average styloid in kids (average age 11) was 10 mm. So a 2 cm styloid is definitely elongated.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/003042208990265X
heidemt said:
I forgot to add something. The average length of a child's styloid is much shorter than that of an adult. I don't remember exactly what it was, but I think it was around 1.5 cm, which would definitely make a 2 cm styloid an elongated styloid for a child. Back when Earmom was trying to find out about the styloid length, I posted a link to a journal summary that discussed styloid measurement in children.