Anterior Tonsillar Fossa Approach to Elongated Styloid Process

• Published in: Annals of maxillofacial surgery 2020-01, Vol.10 (1), p.203-209
• Main Authors: Sham, Ehtaih, Reddy, Thyagraj Jayaram, Menon, P Suresh, Kumar, Veerendra, Nathan, Archana Susan, Mathews, Sheron, Gowda, Karthik Vishwas, Dhanush, C V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report – Developmental Disorder
• ISSN: 2231-0746; 2249-3816
• DOI: 10.4103/ams.ams_189_19

To demonstrate the efficacy of a new novel anterior tonsillar fossa approach in management of elongated styloid process syndrome. We operated upon 20 patients with confirmed, symptomatic elongated styloid process. None of these patients gave a previous positive history of trauma or any other procedure relating to tonsillar area. All these patients had undergone treatment or were under treatment for neuralgia/TMJ dysfunction syndrome. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical examination followed by radiological findings. 12 patients underwent bilateral styloidectomy (60%) and 8 patients, underwent unilateral styloidectomy (40%). The length of stolid process ranged from 34mm to 62mm (mean 44 mm). Post operative follow up period ranges from 6 months to 12 months.17 patients (85%) were asymptomatic & had complete remission of symptoms over a follow up period of 12 months. 2 patients had partial remission of symptoms & 1 patient was lost to follow-up. Our anterior tonsillar fossa approach to elongated styloid is safe & adequate in effective surgical management & more so with an additional advantage of not requiring tonsillectomy which is often performed in trans-pharyngeal technique.