Aspectos clínicos, radiográficos e estratégias terapêuticas da Síndrome de Eagle: revisão de literatura / Clinical, radiographic aspects and therapeutic strategies of Eagle Syndrome: literature review

Objetivo: Este trabalho tem como propósito fornecer uma análise abrangente das características anatômicas, clínicas e radiográficas da Síndrome de Eagle, além de abordar os métodos de diagnóstico e estratégias terapêuticas. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizada uma busca por artigos científicos publicados no período de 2016 a 2024, utilizando as bases de dados Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), US National Library of Medicine (PubMed) e Google Scholar. A coleta de artigos foi realizada nos idiomas inglês e português, utilizando as palavras-chave: "síndrome de eagle", "síndrome estiloide", "síndrome da artéria carótida", "estilalgia", "eagle syndrome", "styloid syndrome", "carotid artery syndrome" e "stylalgia". Conclusão: Os profissionais devem estar atentos à síndrome de Eagle em casos de dor unilateral ao realizar atividades como engolir, bocejar e chorar, sem causa aparente, especialmente em mulheres adultas que não encontram alívio com analgésicos. Devido à frequência de casos assintomáticos, a realização precoce de exames radiológicos desempenha um papel crucial na avaliação diagnóstica. É essencial que profissionais de Otorrinolaringologia, Neurologia e Odontologia estejam cientes dessa síndrome, pois está associada a uma significativa deterioração na qualidade de vida. (AU)

Objective: This work aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the anatomical, clinical and radiographic characteristics of Eagle Syndrome, in addition to addressing diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies. Materials and methods: A search was carried out for scientific articles published between 2016 and 2024, using the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), US National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Google Scholar databases. Articles were collected in English and Portuguese, using the keywords: "eagle syndrome", "styloid syndrome", "carotid artery syndrome", "stilalgia", "eagle syndrome", "styloid syndrome", "carotid artery syndrome" and "stylalgia". Conclusion: Professionals should be aware of Eagle syndrome in cases of unilateral pain when performing activities such as swallowing, yawning and crying, without an apparent cause, especially in adult women who do not find relief with analgesics. Due to the frequency of asymptomatic cases, early radiological examinations play a crucial role in diagnostic evaluation. It is essential that Otorhinolaryngology, Neurology and Dentistry professionals are aware of this syndrome, as it is associated with a significant deterioration in quality of life. (AU)

Síndrome de Eagle hacia la delimitación clínica / Eagle syndrome: Toward a clinical delimitation

Objetivos: El dolor orofacial y cervical es un motivo de consulta frecuente, y puede deberse a múltiples procesos patológicos. Entre ellos se encuentra el síndrome de Eagle, entidad muy infrecuente cuyo origen se atribuye a una osificación del ligamento estilohioideo o una elongación de la apófisis estiloides. Presentamos una serie de cinco pacientes con dicho diagnóstico.Material y métodosSe describen las características demográficas y clínicas de cinco pacientes atendidos en la Unidad de Cefaleas de dos hospitales terciarios por un cuadro compatible con síndrome de Eagle, y su respuesta a distintos tratamientos.ResultadosSe trata de tres varones y dos mujeres de entre 24 y 51 años, con dolor de localización predominante en un oído y la región amigdalina ipsilateral, de cualidad sorda y de gran intensidad. En todos ellos el patrón temporal era crónico y continuo, con exacerbaciones desencadenadas por la deglución. Cuatro pacientes habían realizado múltiples consultas en servicios de otorrinolaringología, y uno de ellos había recibido tratamiento antibiótico ante la sospecha de tubaritis. En todos los casos la palpación de la fosa amigdalina resultó dolorosa. En tres de los pacientes se demostró elongación de la apófisis estiloides y/o calcificación del ligamento estilohioideo mediante tomografía computarizada. Cuatro mejoraron con tratamiento neuromodulador (duloxetina, gabapentina, pregabalina) y solo uno precisó cirugía con escisión de la apófisis estiloides.ConclusionesEl síndrome de Eagle es una causa de dolor craneofacial poco frecuente y posiblemente infradiagnosticada. Aportamos cinco nuevos casos que permiten delimitar tanto la semiología como los posibles tratamientos. (AU)

Objectives: Orofacial and cervical pain are a frequent reason for neurology consultations and may be due to multiple pathological processes. These include Eagle syndrome (ES), a very rare entity whose origin is attributed to calcification of the stylohyoid ligament or elongation of the temporal styloid process. We present a series of five patients diagnosed with ES.Material and methodsWe describe the demographic and clinical characteristics and response to treatment of 5 patients who attended the headache units of two tertiary hospitals for symptoms compatible with Eagle syndrome.ResultsThe patients were three men and two women aged between 24 and 51, presenting dull, intense pain, predominantly in the inner ear and the ipsilateral tonsillar fossa. All patients had chronic, continuous pain in the temporal region, with exacerbations triggered by swallowing. Four patients had previously consulted several specialists at otorhinolaryngology departments; one had been prescribed antibiotics for suspected Eustachian tube inflammation. In all cases, the palpation of the tonsillar fossa was painful. Computed tomography scans revealed an elongation of the styloid process and/or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament in three patients. Four patients improved with neuromodulatory therapy (duloxetine, gabapentin, pregabalin) and only one required surgical excision of the styloid process.ConclusionsEagle syndrome is a rare and possibly underdiagnosed cause of craniofacial pain. We present five new cases that exemplify both the symptoms and the potential treatments of this entity. (AU)

Eagle syndrome: toward a clinical delimitation.

INTRODUCTION: Orofacial and cervical pain are a frequent reason for neurology consultations and may be due to multiple pathological processes. These include Eagle syndrome (ES), a very rare entity whose origin is attributed to calcification of the stylohyoid ligament or elongation of the temporal styloid process. We present a series of five patients diagnosed with ES. METHODS: We describe the demographic and clinical characteristics and response to treatment of 5 patients who attended the headache units of 2 tertiary hospitals for symptoms compatible with Eagle syndrome. RESULTS: The patients were 3 men and 2 women aged between 24 and 51, presenting dull, intense pain, predominantly in the inner ear and the ipsilateral tonsillar fossa. All patients had chronic, continuous pain in the temporal region, with exacerbations triggered by swallowing. Four patients had previously consulted several specialists at otorhinolaryngology departments; one had been prescribed antibiotics for suspected Eustachian tube inflammation. In all cases, the palpation of the tonsillar fossa was painful. Computed tomography scans revealed an elongation of the styloid process and/or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament in 3 patients. Four patients improved with neuromodulatory therapy (duloxetine, gabapentin, pregabalin) and only one required surgical excision of the styloid process. CONCLUSIONS: Eagle syndrome is a rare and possibly underdiagnosed cause of craniofacial pain. We present 5 new cases that exemplify both the symptoms and the potential treatments of this entity.