Asymmetrical bilateral ossification of stylohyoid chains – a case report with embryological review

Received: 30-Mar-2011 Accepted Date: Jun 26, 2011; Published: 07-Jul-2011

Citation: IJAV. 2011; 4: 134–136.

This open-access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (CC BY-NC) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits reuse, distribution and reproduction of the article, provided that the original work is properly cited and the reuse is restricted to noncommercial purposes. For commercial reuse, contact reprints@pulsus.com

Abstract

‘Stylohyoid chain’ consisting of the four parts as cranio-caudally as tympanohyal, stylohyal, ceratohyal and hypohyal parts having same embryological origin existing as proximally ossified as styloid process, and distal stylohyoid ligament, which seldom gets ossified heralding severe pharyngeal pain, dysphagia as well as dysphonia. The present report is a follow-up history of a young lady of 26 years presenting with foreign body sensation and vague pain in the throat for last two years more to the left side and subsequently diagnosed to have asymmetrically ossified or calcified stylo-hyoid chain in digital x-ray of the skull. Detailed study of the calcified stylohyoid chain revealed bilateral different pattern, which is quiet rare as searched for. Resection was done for excess styloid processes in two settings of one-year gap by intraoral approach. Symptoms subsided in post-operative period.