@bs9652 - I’ve annotated what I can see (and think I can see) in both images. In the first image, the greater horns of your hyoid bone look like they end very close to your spine. When they’re so long, they can sometimes cause carotid compression of either the common, internal or external carotid(s). They can also cause Hyoid Bone Syndrome. That has symptoms very similar to ES & is something Dr. Cognetti knows about & for which he does surgery. It would be a good idea to ask him about your hyoid when you next see him, just to get his opinion.
Unfortunately, your pictures appear to be x-rays & w/o contrast, your jugular veins & carotid arteries aren’t visible so I could only point out your hyoid & what I think is your left styloid.
Thanks so much for your input. I will ask about the hyoid bone when I see him September 10.
Your hyoid process does look really curved upwards, very impressive 
And as @Isaiah_40_31 says, it looks like a really small gap between the styloid & C1 process with head extension…
I’ve only seen and spoken with Dr. Cognetti once so far. Everything went so fast and I was not as prepared as I am now (thanks to this forum). And I only had 1 teleconference call with Dr. Heller. They have all of my scans and X-rays but neither of the docs talked about the tests so my understanding is limited. I will say that I’m having more symptoms now than I had before including TMJ and ear related pain. I’ve written down everything I have been experiencing so I can show it to Dr. C when I see him September 10. Thanks so much for your support and input. It has helped me a great deal. I feel so much more prepared for this appointment and the surgery. You all are a Godsend!!
I’m glad that you feel more informed and prepared for this consultation, a good idea to write everything down…hope that your appointment goes well!
Jules, do you know if jaw problems like TMJ could be a symptom of Eagles?
@bs9652 -
ABSOLUTELY TMJ can be a symptom of ES. Because elongated styloids can cause muscles to tense in the neck & jaw depending on what nerves the styloids are irritating. TMJ can initiate or become worse w/ ES. I had terrible TMJ symptoms prior to my styloidectomies & though my jaw joints are pretty worn out, I no longer have pain.
We have other members who’ve had a similar experience to mine.
Thanks so much for responding!!
There’s certainly overlap in eagle’s and TMJ symptoms because of the location of the styloid process, it originates right behind the jaw and below the ear, and the calcified stylohyoid ligament descends across the jaw to throat. I wonder how much TMJ diagnoses are actually because of Eagle’s Syndrome but those doctors were not trained to look for it.
Interesting! I know I’ve given my PT an education on ES and VES. He’s working on my balance and I had started with vertigo again.
@b9652 - I’m sorry your vertigo is back. We’ve had other members who worked w/ PTs prior to surgery only to note their symptoms increased or got worse. If there are exercises that are causing symptoms to worsen, stay away from those & only do the ones that help or provide a neutral response.
Good advice. I already spoke with him this morning about neck pain and crunching. I’m not doing these anymore until after surgery.