Tinnitus Associated with Eagle Syndrome: A Case Report

Introduction: Eagle syndrome is a condition characterized by elongated styloid process or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament associated with cervicofacial painful symptoms. Incidence varies from 4 to 28% prevailing in adult women. The classic syndrome leads to pharyngeal pain and earache, relating to healing after tonsillectomy or cervical trauma. The syndrome styloid apophysis with carotid artery involves compression of the carotid arteries, predominantly dysphagia, earache, and headache, with few reported symptoms such as dizziness and tinnitus. The diagnosis is clinical and radiographic. Treatment may be conservative or surgical. However, the most effective is surgical resection of the styloid apophysis.

Objectives: The aim is to report a case of tinnitus associated with Eagle syndrome, as this relationship is rarely observed in clinical practice.

Resumed Report: A 53-year-old patient (D.C.C.) was referred to our clinic due to the findings of cholesteatoma of petrous apex on computed tomography, with clinical manifestations of bilateral tinnitus, a whistle, great intensity, and dizziness for 3 years. Referred hypothyroidism, hypertension, and dyslipidemia compensated. Physical examination revealed bilateral mandibular pain on palpation. In tomography and skull radiograph observed an elongated styloid processes bilaterally. Other tests were normal. Patient was treated with cyclobenzaprine for 15 days with improvement, keeping clinical monitoring.

Conclusion: This disease should be included as a differential diagnosis of the cranio-cervical-facial pain, considered in patients with symptoms as tinnitus, as this can be modulated by the presence of association with other pathologies such as in the case described.

Keywords: syndrome, Eagle, tinnitus, styloid.