Resumen

RIZZATTI-BARBOSA, Célia Marisa et al. Prevalencia del elongamiento del proceso Estiloide en una población adulta totalmente desdentada. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2004, vol.42, n.1, pp.4-8. ISSN 0001-6365.

The elongation and mineralization of the styloid process is described in the literature as an occurrence that may be asymptomatic or that can be manifested as a stylohyoid-style syndrome or Eagle’s Syndrome. This morbid state is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms such as vague facial pain, discomfort when swallowing, limited movement of the head, neck and mouth opening, otalgia, dysphagia and dizziness, which may be mistaken for the symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorder. One of the main diagnostic resources for elongation of the styloid process is X-ray evaluation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of elongation of the styloid process in a totally edentate adult population. In this work, the authors analyzed 233 panoramic X-rays of totally edentate adult patients of both sexes from the screening service of the Piracicaba School of Dentistry (FOP-Unicamp). Measurements were made of styloid process images and those larger than 30 mm were considered elongated, according to the literature. The images that did not allow for accurate measurements were neglected. The findings were organized into tables and divided according to the factors of age group, sex and predominant side. These data revealed that, of the 233 analyzed X-rays, 341 styloid processes were measurable, of which 50.1% (n=176) showed a measure of more than 30 mm . Of these images, 64% (n=113) were taken from females and 35% (n=63) from males. The mean values obtained were 33.5 mm for the males and 31.38 mm for the females. With regard to the age group factor, the highest prevalence was found in the 61 to 70 age group, with a percentage of 61.8% (nt=110; n=68), followed by the 51 to 60 age group, with a percentage of 52% (nt=100; n=52). As for the side, 159 images of the right hand side styloid process and 182 of the left hand side were measured. A prevalence of 24% (nt=341; nd= 159; n=82) was found for the right hand side and of 28,4% (nt=341; ne=182; n=97) for the left. The authors concluded that the females showed a greater prevalence of elongated styloid process; the elongation process was not found to predominate on either side; the greatest prevalence of elongation of the styloid process was found in the 51 to 70 age group, and a low incidence among individuals under 30.

Palabras clave : styloid process; Eagle’s Syndrome; Stylohyoid-style Syndrome.