Question: Dear Doctor,

you answered my query a few days ago. I'm attaching your answer below for your reference.

I have just been to see my ENT specialist, who suspects that I may have Eagle syndrome. I had a CT scan done, which didn't prove or disprove it. My ENT specialist didn't, however, use a 3D reconstruction, as you suggested, because he doesn't have the knowledge of the software to do so.

I have two questions:

1) I was wondering if there's any way I could send the pictures to someone online and they could put it in the software to reconstruct the images. That would be extremely helpful.

2) I was told that my styloids are close to the spine (based on the CT scan). Could they somehow affect some nerves or blood vessels?

Thanks!



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Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

1. The TMJ dysfunction is on the right side, while the sensation of foreign body in the throat on the left side is because of LPR, the clicking sound is due to opening and closing of the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear)

2. When the acid from the stomach regurgitates into the throat, it will burn the mucosa of the throat causing inflammation of the mucosa. The inflamed mucosa thus gives the sensation of foreign body in the throat. Most of the times, the sensation is unilateral.

3. Eagle syndrome can be confirmed by the reconstruction of the CT scan images or with Ortho-pantomography. In these sections, it is difficult to identify the elongated styloid process.

4. I have examined the images thoroughly and I feel there is some osseous inflammation with the reduction in the joint space on the right side. MRI will be helpful in clearing all the doubts.

Hope I have cleared your doubts. I wish you good luck and good health.

Regards
Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Thanks for your quick answer!

In fact, I just managed to do a reconstruction myself, albeit not perfect. I'm enclosing some pictures for you to take a look if you want. In my humble opinion, I don't think the styloid is elongated.

Despite that, the styloid seems to be somewhat curved towards the spine so it might cause some carotid compression (or at least that's what my doctor said). But it seems less likely now. If there were to be impingement of the carotid vessels, what kind of symptoms would that have?

Thanks again and best wishes,
XXXXXXX

Thanks. I uploaded them in a format that was rejected by the server. Now they're in pdf so it should work.

Best,
XXXXXXX

Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.