The prevalence of styloid process elongation in Southeastern Anatolia

Aims: Styloid process is a cylindrical bony projection extending from the inferior part of the temporal bone. A styloid process measuring more than 30 mm in length is defined as elongated styloid process (ESP) and may lead to symptoms associated with Eagle syndrome, such as throat pain, dysphagia, and neurological discomfort. Although the exact etiology of styloid process elongation is not fully understood, proposed causes include congenital elongation, calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, and osseous proliferation at the ligament’s attachment sites. This study is designed to determine the incidence of styloid process elongation in patients attending the Faculty of Dentistry at Harran University and to analyze the findings in relation to global epidemiological data. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using archived panoramic radiographs of 1.107 patients (534 males, 573 females) treated at the Harran University, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between January 2023 and December 2023. The length of the styloid process was measured from the tympanic plate to its tip. Elongation was recorded for measurements exceeding 30 mm. The data were analyzed using the Pearson’s Chi-square test for categorical variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of ESP in the studied population was found to be 8.8%, with no statistically significant difference between males (44.3%) and females (55.7%) (p=0.420). Additionally, no significant association was identified between ESP and age groups (p=0.451). The longest measured styloid process was 42 mm, while the shortest was 14 mm. The average length was 22 mm in males and 21 mm in females, with no significant difference observed between sexes. Among patients diagnosed with ESP, 66% had no systemic disease; the most common comorbidities were hypertension (8.2%) and type 2 diabetes (5.2%). Conclusion: The prevalence of ESP in the Southeastern Anatolian population was determined to be 8.8%, which is consistent with findings reported in other populations. No significant association was found between ESP and either gender or age groups. Considering the variability in prevalence across different regions, further advanced studies utilizing CBCT and CT imaging techniques are necessary to improve diagnostic accuracy and assess potential clinical implications.