Bilateral Internal Carotid Artery Dissection as an Uncommon Complication Following a Fall in a Marathon Runner: A Case of Eagle Syndrome

Eagle Syndrome is a rare vascular condition characterized by the elongation of the styloid process and/or the calcification of the styloid ligament. This elongation or calcification can lead to compression or irritation of the surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues, potentially causing compression or irritation of the extracranial part of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and resulting in symptoms such as throat pain, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, headache, and facial pain. Diagnosis of Eagle Syndrome typically involves clinical assessment and imaging studies, with treatment options varying from conservative approaches to surgical interventions based on symptom severity. Patients with dissection of the extracranial part of the ICA or the vertebral artery are generally recommended antithrombotic therapy, which may include antiplatelet or anticoagulation treatment. In this case, the diagnosis and treatment of Eagle Syndrome, which presented with an ischemic stroke caused by the elongated styloid process after a fall during a marathon, are discussed.