IJAR.2025.104
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 13; Issue 1 (March 2025)
Page No.: 9157-9161
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2025.104
Radiological Evaluation of Length of the Styloid Process of Temporal Bone in Multi-detector CT images- A Retrospective Study
Sarala HS *1, Pravin GU 2, Jyothilakshmi GL3, Sindhu N 4*.
1 Professor, Department of Anatomy,Rajarajeswari Medical college and Hospital. Bengaluru, Karnataka. India. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8704-9488
2 Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Principal,Sri Chamundeshwari Medical college, Hospital and Research Institute, Chennapatna, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7703-1962
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Hospital, Shivajinagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5270-7508
*4 Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Rajarajeswari Medical college and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4486-4877
Corresponding author: Dr.Sindhu N, Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis. Rajarajeswari medical college and hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. E-Mail: dr.sindhu02@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: Styloid process (SP) is a cylindrical piece of bony projection from petrous part of temporal bone. SP is clinically important anatomical entity due to pathologies caused by changes in its length. The average length is 25mm- 30mm, measurements of 30mm & greater indicate elongation of SP. It is necessary to have knowledge of normal anatomy of the structures involved & standardized morphometric measurements to evaluate the pathological changes related to the disease.
Objectives: To evaluate the Length of the styloid process of temporal bone using 3D reconstructed images of MDCT (Multi-detector Computed Tomography).
To investigate the possibility of occurrence of Eagle’s syndrome in asymptomatic individuals.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted on CT(Computed Tomography) images of 400 patients who underwent para nasal and Head and neck MDCT between March 2024 and June2024. The images were assessed retrospectively. The length of the styloid process from its attachment on the temporal bone to the tip was measured in 3D reconstructed images using Volume rendering technique(VRT) and an inbuilt dedicated workstation. The measurements were undertaken in centimeters, obtained data was tabulated and analysed statistically.
Results: The mean length of Styloid process among 400 CT images evaluated is 3.1± 0.5cm on the right side and 3.3± 0.61cm on the left side. Mean length of SP in males is 3.13±0.57cm on right side and 3.12±0.56 on the left side, in females it is 3.07±0.62cm and 3.08± 0.68cm on the right and left side respectively. Elongated Styloid process(≥3cm) is observed in 60.5% and 59% on the right and left side respectively. Elongated SP is noted in 23.75% of males and 21.75% of females.
Conclusion: The average length of the styloid process is consistent with the results of other studies reported in the literature. This data guides the clinicians in diagnosing Eagle’s syndrome in asymptomatic individuals. It can also help the clinicians to avoid misinterpretation of symptoms like tonsillar pain, pain of dental or muscular origin.
KEY WORDS: Styloid process, Eagle’s syndrome, elongated styloid process, stylohyoid ligament.
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