What is Eagle syndrome, or an elongated styloid process?
This syndrome is a condition that causes pain in your face or neck. The pain is caused by the styloid being longer than it should be — a small, pointed bone that projects from beneath the ear bone and serves as an attachment point for several muscles connected with the tongue and larynx.
Although it can affect people of both sexes and of any age, it is more common in women between the ages of 30 and 60.
The main symptom of Eagle syndrome is usually a severe pain on one side of your neck or face, particularly near your jaw. The pain may come and go, or it may be constant. It usually gets worse when you yawn, move or turn your head. You may also feel the pain radiating towards your ear.
Other symptoms of Eagle syndrome are difficulty swallowing, a feeling that something is stuck in the throat, headache, dizziness and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).