PREVALENCE AND ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF STYOLOID PROCESS IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA POPULATION- A DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY
Dr. K. A. Kamala*, Dr. S. Sankethguddad, Dr. Ashwini Rani S. R. and Dr. Abhijeeth R. Sande
ABSTRACT
Background: The styloid process (SP) is an anatomical structure whose clinical importance is not well understood. Elongated Styloid Process is of clinical and surgical importance to clinicians, dentist, radiologists and ENT surgeons because of its close relation to vital stuctures. This study is undertaken to assess the prevalence and patterns of elongation and calcification of SP on digital panoramic radiographs. Mathedology: A total of 1460 digital panoramic radiographs obtained of patients over 20 years of age, were obtained using Carestream Digital panoramic system. The apparent length of SP was measured on both sides with help of divider and transparent plastic scale. The evaluations of the type of elongation and calcification pattern were made by styloid process parameters used by Langlais et al. (1986)11 as follows. Results: The average length of the right and left styloid process in males was 26.96 ± 8.748 and 27.76 ± 8.33, respectively, whereas in females right and left average length was 26.02 ± 5.86 and 26.59 ± 7.00, respectively. The length of the styloid process on both sides increased with age; males had longer styloid process than females. The prevalence of styloid process in the present study was 27.32% . Langlais type I elongated styloids and type A calcification pattern were more common than others. Conclusion: Panoramic radiography is useful for the detection of an elongated styloid process in patients with or without symptoms, and helps avoid misdiagnosis of tonsillar pain or pain of dental, pharyngeal, or muscular origin.
Keywords: Styloid Process, Elongation, Anatomic Variation, Digital Panoramic Radiograph.
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