I have a 4.8cm styloid process with severe pain, swallowing difficulty, etc. On some scans (ct contrast) it shows it is reaching the tonsular fossa and i can feel something in my throat like a bone. Touching it makes me gag. However latest scan results (doppler ultrasound) say the tip is at the mandubular gland…im confused…has anyone had issues with the mandibular gland? Any help appreciated. I feel defeated by this ![]()
A CT is the best imaging to show the length of the styloid, and you’ve had that done. I don’t know if there’s any calcifications on your ligaments too? It is a small space, and perhaps if your head was at a slightly different angle that could possibly make a difference? I don’t know for sure, but would guess that the ultrasound could possibly be picking up other bone?
Do you feel any pain touching the bone at the back by your tonsils? It’s common if this is the styloid process you can feel that pressing a bit sets of the ES symptoms. Without seeing scans we can’t say for certain, but if it was me I’d be more inclined to trust the CT…
@Nikelin - My mandibular glands were enlarged & a little tender bilaterally as one of my symptoms of bilateral ES. Whether or not your styloid is touching your mandibular gland, it also sounds like it’s irritating your glossopharyngeal nerve which passes through the area where the mandibular gland sits. That nerve can cause swallowing difficulty & pain w/ swallowing, neck pain, & throat pain. The vagus nerve can also contribute to those symptoms & passes through the same area so it could be both nerves are being upset by your styloid.