Evaluation of the Relationship Between Stylohyoid Ligament Calcifications and Systemic Diseases

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between stylohyoid ligament calcification and systemic diseases. Materials and Method: Panoramic radiographic images of 1000 patients etrospectively examined. Those with stylohyoid ligament calcification (298 calcifications) were identified, and the calcification amounts were measured. Results: Of the participants with stylohyoid calcifications, 151 calcifications were found in male, and 147 calcifications were found in female patients. When examining the amount of stylohyoid process calcification according to gender, significantly more calcification was observed in male patients compared to female patients (z -5.74, p 0.001). Analysis among age groups did not reveal a significant difference (H(6)=11.771, p=0.067). However, when associated with systemic diseases, patients with hypertension (HT) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had less stylohyoid process calcification compared to those without systemic diseases (p=0.012 and p=0.044, respectively). In classified patients, it was determined that class 1 calcification was more than expected in females, class 2 calcification showed a balanced distribution between genders, and classes 3 and 4 calcifications were higher in male patients (χ²=14.001, p=0.003). Among age groups and calcification classes, it was found that class 3 calcification was higher than expected in the 21- 30 age range (p=0.0013). When examining the impact of systemic diseases, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) had less stylohyoid process calcification than those without systemic diseases (p=0.012, p=0.044). Conclusion: It has been observed that there is more calcification in male patients than in female patients and that systemic diseases may be a determinant of calcifications.