Proceso estiloides en una muestra de radiografías panorámicas de la Ciudad de Temuco-Chile

Abstract

The Styloid process is a thin cylindrical prolongation of the 2temporal bone. Its mean length is 25 mm. This process could be found longer than average in some people, with or without pain symptomatology. 968 panoramic radiographs have been studied in sexes, male and female, ranging between 12 and 81 years of age. The Styloid processes were measured on radiographs, and were considered elongated with a length higher than 30 mm. Of the studied people, 3.61% had styloid processes elongated, 37.14% were male and 62.8% female. In the analysis by sex, male individuals had longer processes than female, and for both sexes, right styloid processes were longer than left side (Male: right length 50.163 mm., SD 10.65, left length 48.5mm.; SD 7.96. Female: right length 45.6 mm.; SD 7.57, left length 42.74; SD 8.32). Unilateral styloid processes elongated were found more frequently than bilateral, as well as continuous elongations in comparison with discontinuous ones. A relation between age and elongated styloid processes did not exist. To know the prevalence of elongated styloid process becomes important when patients with unsolved pain symptomatology cases are analyzed. This study gives new information to professionals of Dentistry and Otolaryngology areas about the probability to find Eagle's syndrome or elongated styloid process.