Evaluation of styloid process elongation: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aims: The styloid process is a cylindrical projection of the temporal bone. When the length of the styloid process exceeds 30 mm, it is considered elongated. The aim of this study was to investigate the length, thickness and morphological pattern of the styloid process of patients using panoramic radiography and to evaluate the relationship with age and gender. Methods: The study is designed retrospective cross-sectional and consisted of 3012 panoramic radiographs from patients routinely referred within the last six months, in which the borders of the styloid process region were clearly visualised on radiographs. Age and gender data of the patients were recorded. Styloid process was evaluated in terms of length, thickness and Langeais classification. Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.32 years. 34.4% (n:1156) were male and 61.6% (n:1856) were female. The mean styloid process length was >30 for 32% of the patients. The thickness of the right styloid process was 2.73±1.56 and that of the left styloid process was 2.69±1.5. The length of the styloid process ranged between 0-79.98 mm with a mean of 26.12±10.78 mm. Most of the patients were in Langeais Type 1 class in right and left styloid process. There was a statistically significant correlation between the length, thickness and Langeais classification of right and left styloid process (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant correlation between age and styloid process length and thickness. Also, styloid process length and thickness were statistically greater in males than females (p<0.01). Conclusion: In this study, the highest prevalence of elongation styloid process in Türkiye evaluated with panoramic radiographs is reported. Although styloid process elongation is mostly asymptomatic, more multicenter studies are needed to investigate the reasons for such a high prevalence.

Keywords

• styloid process
• styloid process calcification
• prevalence

References

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